Brewery News

Pump Clip Treasures

01 Feb 2018

Do you collect pump clips? Have you ever considered starting? It’s always good to have a hobby. Either way, you’re welcome to rummage, rootle and rifle around some boxes full of them in Brentwood Brewery’s Tap Room and Brewery Shop. Who knows what treasures you might find! We’re selling some off for charity at 50p each or 3 for £1.

Pump clip collecting is really quite popular as a hobby, albeit a little niche. Did you know there is a national pump clip museum? It’s based at New Basford in Nottingham where 1600 pump clips are on display. The museum evolved from a private collection belonging to Mike Gatenby of between 20,000 and 30,000 pump clips which he started collecting in the seventies. It is now the national collection.

He said: “Very few collectors have their clips on display, especially if they are married! Normally they live in the loft never to be seen from one year to the next. Some collectors have them in sheds,outhouses, conservatories and even stuck on bars in houses.”

Because of the museum’s size a maximum of three people can tour at any time and visits are by pre-arranged appointment only and just for pump clip collectors or brewery historians.

See: www.pumpclipmuseum.com

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Smile for Blue Monday

15 Jan 2018

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by Wendy

Being the third Monday in January it’s Blue Monday today and officially the most depressing day of the year. But at Brentwood Brewery we want to share some news that should put a smile on your face.

We are now open on Mondays, an extra day every week. Opening times for the The Tap Room and Brewery Shop are Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4.30pm and on Saturdays 10.30am to 3.30pm.

If you fancy a pint of Brentwood Beer at the brewery there is always a choice of quality draught real ales on the bar in The Tap Room.

You can be sure of a warm welcome. If you pop in today, Roland may even cheer you up with one of his jokes.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Bloggers Visit

09 Jan 2018

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by Wendy

A delegation of Essex bloggers were made very welcome on a recent visit to the brewery. The press trip was arranged by the Visit Essex tourism team.

As well as touring the brewery with MD Roland and Head Brewer Ethan, guests were able to sample some Brentwood Beer before heading off to more venues like a vineyard and Tiptree Tea Room and jam factory.

Maybe you’ll let us know if you read something nice that the bloggers wrote about us?

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Go BBC1 Not Dry!

09 Jan 2018

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by Wendy

Following the party season we understand some of you may be planning to abstain from alcohol during January and taking part in Dryanuary. For those that think that’s a great idea but don’t actually want to give up life’s little pleasures completely, may we suggest switching your usual tipple for some of our BBC1.

It’s just 1.5% ABV but has all the usual flavour you’d expect from any beer in the Brentwood or Elephant School Brewing ranges.

BBC1 is BBC2’s little brother! Light brown in colour, loads of flavours bursting on the palate from the mix of Columbus, Chinook, Citra and Cascade hops. It’s ridiculously drinkable.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Gluten Free Beer

08 Jan 2018

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by Wendy

Brentwood Brewery has some fabulous news for anyone who suffers from gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. All beers in the Brentwood range are now Gluten Free with the current exception of BBC1, which will also be gluten free very shortly.

Head Brewer Ethan Kannor explains: “For the last six months we’ve been working towards making all beer in the Brentwood range, gluten free.

“To that end, we’ve carried out rigorous testing to make sure every pint of Brentwood Beer continues to deliver the top quality and flavour our fans expect from the brand. And we’re delighted to conclude that nobody has noticed as we haven’t been notified of any perceivable difference whilst the changeover has been taking place.”

The brewing process remains the same but with the addition of a natural enzyme which is added at the start of the fermentation process. The enzyme takes out the gluten, a protein, making it fall to the bottom of the fermenter where it can easily be discarded.

To find out more about award-winning beers in the Brentwood range as well as tasting notes, please see the Our Beers section of the brewery website.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Beer Stories – Lumberjack

19 Dec 2017

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by Wendy

The perfect beer to accompany Christmas Brussels Sprouts is – drum roll please – our Lumberjack 5.2% ABV. It’s official – we discovered this erstwhile unknown phenomenon on Twitter some while ago.

Accolade

“As accolades go, this is a pretty big one. We’re honoured that Lumberjack is hailed as the best beer to enjoy with Brussels. We’ve been working on lots of beer and food matching suggestions with Beer for That but this pairing idea is especially exciting.

“I really love Brussels Sprouts. I always eat one at Christmas,” said Roland Kannor, Brentwood Brewing Company MD.

Awards

We say Lumberjack tastes pretty fine on its own too. Others agree as it has won:

Silver – SIBA East Region Best Bottled Strong Ale 2013, 2015, 2017 and Gold – SIBA East Region Best Strong Ale 2009.

Availability

Lumberjack is available to buy from the Brewery Shop or online in bottles or 18 or 36 pint Polypins.

There’s a Beer for That

Asking the question ‘What is the beer that best matches the dreaded Christmas Brussels Sprouts?’ on a Twitter Q & A session with Great British Chefs was food blogger and writer Jeanne Horak-Druiff of CookSister.com.

The answer came from GreatBritishChefs.com courtesy of guest Laurence Creamer of There’s A Beer for That (BeerForThat.com).

‘Counter the brilliant Brussels bitterness with sweetness of Brentwood Brewing Company’s Lumberjack, a beautiful bitter,’ was the reply on Twitter.

Laurence Creamer of There’s A Beer for That, which is backed by Britain’s Beer Alliance, added: “Lumberjack’s full body can cope with the strong flavour of the sprout, while the beer’s sweetness will contrast and balance the bitterness from the vegetable.”

Caution

“Whilst we fully endorse the brilliance of the Brussels and Lumberjack partnership, we’s like to sound a note of caution. Please consume Brussels Sprouts responsibly. Large family gatherings, confined spaces, Brussels, Lumberjack … enough said,” added Roland.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Beer Stories – Chockwork Orange

19 Dec 2017

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by Wendy

Have you tried drinking our award winning Chockwork Orange 6.5% abv, brewed in Brentwood, with a chocolate orange? Apparently, according to a Telegraph article, it’s one of life’s guilty pleasures.

Chockwork & Chocolate Orange

The story written by Hugo McEwen, with some input from Britain’s Beer Alliance, suggests partnering chocolate with beer is one of life’s guilty pleasures. One of the examples he cites is our Chockwork Orange and a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. And we have to agree, you cannot find a finer synergy between flavours.

Availability

Chockwork Orange is available to buy from the Brewery Shop. It can be bought in bottles or 18 or 36 pint Polypins. Alternatively, Chockwork can be bought online.

Pleased

MD of Brentwood Brewery, Roland Kannor said: “Praise for this food and Chockwork Orange beer combination has pleased the brewery team no end.

“Making beers that get people talking is one of the joys of the job so the brewery was especially excited to get a mention in the Telegraph, discussing the surprisingly decadent taste combination that eating chocolate with certain beers can bring.”

Chockwork’s Claim to Fame

Chockwork Orange is the official beer of the book A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess.

Awards for Chockwork

Chockwork Orange won Beer of Festival at Belgrade, Serbia in 2014 and Silver medal at Hungary Beer Festival the same year. In 2012 it won Bronze at SIBA East in the Best Strong Beer category. Chockwork won Silver at SIBA East in the Best Speciality Beer category 2009 and was voted best Strong Ale at Chelmsford Summer Beer Festival 2009.

Christmas Puddings

Our Chockwork Orange is used by local food producers Fuud Ltd and Lillypuds in their Christmas puddings. Christmas puddings containing our beer are available from the Brewery Shop in December and Calcott Hall Farm shop which is next door to the brewery.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Beer Stories – Van Kannor

19 Dec 2017

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by Wendy

Van Kannor 7.7% was created to be the finest of sophisticated celebratory ales. It’s perfect for Christmas or any special occasion.

Beer & Food Matched with Christmas Roast Turkey

It’s official. The British Beer Alliance, There’s a Beer for That campaign, has matched Brentwood Brewery’s Van Kannor with roast turkey as it perfectly compliments the flavours of both food and beer.

Champagned Beer

Van Kannor was produced using traditional Champagning methods. Triple fermented with Champagne, beer and wine yeast, hand-turned and riddled, Van Kannor combines gentle fruitiness with sweet malt aromas to create a luxurious, sophisticated beer. Only 1000 bottles were made.

Connoisseur’s Dream Gift

Every connoisseur’s dream gift, Van Kannor is available from the Brewery Shop in 750ml bottles (£32.50). Or buy Van Kannor online.

Inspired

Former head brewer at Brentwood Brewery, Sophie de Ronde, was commissioned by the Kannor family to create the finest, most exquisite beer she could possibly imagine, worthy of toasting welcome to the family’s first born grandchild and grandson.

Divine

Van Kannor was brewed in 2014. Having spent three years maturing, we believe Van Kannor now tastes even more divine.

Ace

School of Booze and Beer o’Clock author, beer sommelier Jane Peyton says Van Kannor is ‘ace’.

“Van Kannor is a really special beer.

“Pour it into a flute and savour the fruity aroma then take a sip. Sweet malts develop first, followed by a satisfying, mouth-filling mousse and finally a gentle bitterness,” said Jane.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Beery Christmas Everyone

19 Dec 2017

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by Wendy

Only six more sleeps until Santa arrives … Still got heaps to do? Stuck for gift ideas? Christmas jumpers and socks are all very well but we say why not treat someone special to something beery nice instead? Something they’ll really love – like Brentwood Beer.

Brewery Open This Week

The Tap Room and Brewery Shop is open 9.30am – 3.30pm today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Saturday 10.30am – 3.30pm and Sunday, Christmas Eve, 10am – 1.30pm.

Beery Gifts

We have beer gift packs at £13, hampers at £20 and cases of 12 bottles of Brentwood Beer. Elephant School beer gift packs at £18 and hampers at £20. Also, we sell beer in 18 or 36 pint Polypins. Christmas puddings made by Lillypuds, containing our Chockwork Orange. And a range of branded merchandise like rugby shirts, polo shirts and hoodies as well as pocket money price items like bottle opening key rings or pens at £3.

High Street Market Stall

If you cannot make it to the brewery, we have a market stall selling bottles, gift packs and hampers, in Brentwood High Street this Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Treat Yourself

If you’ve got all your presents sorted, then why not treat yourself and pop into the brewery for a well-deserved pint in The Tap Room? We always have two draught beers on the bar.

Have you got your beer sorted for Christmas yet? You know where to find us – we’re next to Calcott Hall Farm Shop off Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch in Brentwood.

We hope Santa doesn’t bring you too many socks and jumpers! Merry Christmas.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Christmas Tunes, Treats & Cheer

12 Dec 2017

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by Wendy

Brentwood Brewery was pleased to welcome hundreds of beer fans on Saturday (9th December) to their Christmas Beer Festival including special guests, Santa, The Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Will Russell, and the town’s MP.

“What a brilliant way to start the Christmas season, drinking Chestnut Stout and buying Christmas trees. It’s been a brilliant afternoon. I’m only sad I can’t stay longer,” said Brentwood and Ongar MP, Alex Burghart.

Joy

The Mayor of Brentwood said: “It was wonderful to return to Brentwood Brewery. This time, to enjoy the Christmas Beer Festival and all the joy the occasion brought.

“I managed to sample a few different beers, great food and company. I was delighted to join Santa welcoming guests. All the children appeared to love the atmosphere and of course, Santa’s sleigh.”

Music

A programme of musical entertainment throughout the day contributed to the festive atmosphere. Festival goers were treated to performances by local musical groups including Shenfield Operatic Society, Song Cycle, singer Michelle Ward of Phoenix FM fame and Johnny ‘Timebomb’ Taylor and the Yule-kelistics, ukulele band.

SNAP Charity

Jos Hollington from SNAP charity’s fund raising team and a rota of SNAP volunteers were also at the festival, raising funds and awareness of the charity’s work throughout Essex. They ran a raffle, children’s games like Beanbag Splat and sold mugs filled with Christmas treats. Collection pots were also stationed on the bar to garner further support for the Warley based charity which helps families and children with special needs and disabilities.

“We are very grateful to Roland and his team for inviting us to the Christmas Festival; it was a fun and social community occasion, as always, with Santa the undoubted highlight! Thank you also to everyone who generously supported our raffle,” said Jos Hollington.

Jewellery

Jaye, who usually works in the brewery’s sales team, was at the festival with her creative, handmade jewellery collection, Made With Love by Jaye.

Brewery Team

The brewery’s Christmas beers were enthusiastically received, especially Winter Warmer, Good Elf and Frosty Baubles, keeping the bar team busy throughout. And the brewery’s snack van, Beer Grylls, headed by Brewery Manager Dean Beckwith and with help from Jade, offered hot food and snacks to hungry guests.

Roland Kannor, MD of Brentwood Brewing Company, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who came along and made the Christmas Beer Festival such a special occasion. Also Brentwood Rotary Club who very kindly lent us Santa’s sleigh for the day.

“I’m told Santa had a great time. Not only did he top the Beanbag Splat leader board for a while but he also joined in singing Slade’s Christmas hit, Merry Christmas Everybody, with Michelle Ward. But I didn’t really see much of him. Intriguingly, we were never seen together in the same room!”