The revolution is here! A new brewery opens every other day in Britain and we have our fair share of newbies around Chorleywood, (most recently Haresfoot in Berkhamsted, Watling St, Aldenham and Paradigm, tucked away in a leafy Sarratt lane), adding to the line up of long established and legendary ale makers in Herts, Bucks and Berks (think Tring, Chiltern, Rebellion and Eton and Windsor breweries).
The best local brews get their turn on-tap in our pubs, often on a rota basis* (Scroll down for who serves what)
Craft beer cult
Craft beer is the buzzword (sometimes controversial) and usually refers to golden coloured, hoppy keg beers, mostly American in style. Served chilled like lager they are pricier and so super strong (high abv) that pubs are selling them in a smaller (2/3 pint) glass – or even in a wine glass. (One in five adults have drunk craft beer in the last six months and it’s now in the imaginary shopping basket contents used to calculate the rate of inflation)
Many beer lovers say that all good beer brewed with a passion, especially those from small independent brewers, is craft beer and they’ve been drinking craft real ales for decades. Either way, there is growing demand for tasty, quality brews.
Beer Shops
Along with the craft beer trend comes the birth of small independent retail beer outlets – check out the specialist Craft Beer Shop in Little Chalfont and the recently revamped Brewery Shop in Chesham town centre. You can buy your favourite beer by the bottle, can, cask or as draft in a disposable plastic bottle or a purpose made glass bottle (growler) which can be refilled over and over. There are countless beer varieties on sale and usually a couple of cider options. The shelves are so jam packed with bottles featuring quirky label designs that the shop looks more like an art display than a retail space. People pop in to check out the new additions and seasonal specials,, taste and compare their favourite brews and discuss cult brands …it’s far more fun than buying in the supermarket and a unique sociable beer browsing/tasting experience that’s very un-British.
LOCAL BEER GEMS
Did you know?…
* You can buy beer in a ‘flight’ to drink at Little Chalfont Craft Beer Shop – three x1/3 pint glasses filled with any of the draft beers or ciders, served on a bespoke wooden tray. Sit in and try en route from the train or while you wait for your takeaway, make your choice and carry home in a re-fillable growler.
* The Land of Lib, Heronsgate, offer tasting session of singles or sets. Ask at bar or ring 01923 282226 for details
* Chesham Brewery Shop has its own Growler beer dispenser so that draft beer sold in the refillable bottles lasts longer (up to 60 days)
* Beer names, funky labels and pump clips are as important as flavour. Some names are plays on words (Gorge Best by Cheddar Ales), others witty (Smog Rocket by Beavertown) and a few naughty (Arrogant Bastard, Stone Brewing). All the Tring Brewery names are linked to local folklore, history and myths. ‘Side Pocket for a Toad’ is an old Hertfordshire phrase meaning uselessness and Tea Kettle Stout comes from an early teapot shaped county map. Haresfoot’s Lock Keeper’s acknowledges the brewery’s location in Berkhamsted on the Grand Union Canal near Lock 51.
* Beer is an age thing. Local 20 somethings love neat bottles or compact cans and favour cult brands. ‘Dads’ generally go for draft or chunkier bottles with basic labelling.
* Paradigm is the smallest brewery around. Owners Neil and Rob created their brewery in an old pig barn in Sarratt and nicknamed two vessels Pinky and Perky as a homage to the former residents.
* Tring Brewery has a shop on site and also offer an impressive tour (makes a great birthday present) at £18 a head. www.tringbrewery.co.uk/brewerytours.html
Haresfoot also do tours most Thursdays. email events@haresfoot.com to reserve a place
* Haresfoot Brewery has a collaboration with The Cricket Writers’ Club and jointly produce a beer called All-Rounder, a pale ale brewed with English and Australian hops which is a favourite of S. W. Herts MP David Gauke who introduced it to members of the House of Commons.
Main pic: © Tring Brewery
Shops
The Craft Beer Shop, HP7 9PR. Details p51
Chesham Brewery Shop, HP5 1ES
Local brews often on sale at our pubs* :
Rose and Crown: Haresfoot, Windsor and Eton, Vale, Tring,
Land of Liberty: Haresfoot, Tring, Watling St, Paradigm, Windsor & Eton
Red Lion, Chenies: Vale, Lion Pride specially brewed for the pub by Rebellion
Bedford Arms: Tring Brewery, Rebellion