Beer Day Britain
Britain is one of the largest brewing countries in the world, with almost 1500 breweries producing a total of 1.1 billion gallons per year!
Today is Beer Day Britain, a day for us to celebrate one of our oldest, and frankly best, beverages.
Beer Day Britain shares the same date as Magna Carta Day and for good reason, for the Magna Carta stated: “Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn, namely the London quarter.” Whilst it is unlikely this measure would have been a pint, it certainly helped pave the way.
In recognition of Beer Day Britain we’re going to take a look at two excellent examples of British breweries, one traditional and one contemporary.
Fuller’s Brewery, London
Fuller’s Brewery - based in Chiswick, was established in 1845 by John Bird Fuller, Henry Smith & John Turner and is to this day still family owned and independent. Beer has however been brewed on the historic site of the Griffin Brewery since the 17th Century.
Beers to try…
Fuller’s ESB 5.9%
Launched in 1971, ESB is a great example of the style. A rich, smooth and full bodied bitter with loads of toffee and marmalade on the aroma, and a grassy, resinous and citrusy flavour provided by the hops. An excellent tipple.
London Porter, 5.4%
A rich, creamy and chocolatey porter evocative of pre-Victorian London and the height of the porter boom. Aromas of roasted coffee and molasses give way to intense flavours of creamy chocolate, rich berries and a lingering roasty finish. Perfect on a cold evening, sat by a roaring fire.
Buxton Brewery, Derbyshire
Starting life as a 100litre brew kit in founder Geoff Quinn’s garage, Buxton now produces more than 4000 hectolitres per year, in the rolling landscape of the Peak District. Buxton’s reputation for producing such fine beers has afforded them the opportunity to collaborate with plenty of international breweries such as To-øl (Denmark), Omnipollo (Sweden) and Wilderness (Arizona).
Beers to try…
Nth Cloud, Double IPA, 8.2%
An epically fruity double IPA, hopped to the max with Mosaic and Simcoe. Loads of tropical fruit flavours such as mango, peach and pineapple, with a crisp zesty finish. Best served nice and cold on a hot sunny day!
Imperial Black, IPA, 7.5%
Jet black and hugely hoppy. The epitome of a black IPA! Abundant aromas of fresh zesty hops backed up with flavours of dark berries and roasted malts. Perfectly balanced with a malty base and a deep satisfying finish.
