BREWERY NEWS ning permission issued for change of use to a restaurant and takeaway. No sign of any real ale, just the standard keg lagers. At least the name remains. The BULL should by now be under the stewardship of previous landlady Jayne Worrall. Let’s hope she returns it to the successful pub it used to be. Welcome back, Jayne.
SHERFIELD VILLAGE Look out for the open beer tasting session at Sherfield Village Hall on Friday 13th December. Three free half pints, plus plenty more to buy, including bottles and 5, 10 or 20 litre boxes for Christmas (to be delivered in the days before Christmas). This was very successful last year, so make sure you pay a visit.
TWO COCKS
WOODLEY The GOOD COMPANIONS on Loddon Bridge Road continues to get good reviews for its real ale, including local beers. BREWERY NEWS
1643 Musket Mild has been dropped from the regularly brewed beers. 1643 Viscount, a 5.6% Golden Ale has been added to the regular range.
WEST BERKSHIRE
ASCOT The latest Single Hop is a 4.6% light copper coloured IPA called Agnus, a relatively new Czech variety that is not often seen. It has high alpha acids giving it good bitterness with a strong hoppy, spicy and herbal aroma. Also available for winter is Winter Reserve at 5.2%. This red coloured winter warmer is lightly spiced with ginger and cinnamon.
BINGHAMS Twyford Tipple (3.7%) won Food Product of the Year at the Bucks and Berks Food and Drink Awards 2013. Staff at the brewery were thrilled and Head Brewer Chris said, “We have always believed that Twyford Tipple is a great session beer, with its complex blend of malts helping to give it good body, followed by a refreshing citrus hop aftertaste provided by American hops.”
BUTTS Beer production remains pretty constant with Mudskipper being a good seller.
Special beers for Christmas are Yule Fuel (5.0%) and Auntie Ruth's Winter Warmer (6.0%), described as “a humdinger of a beer”. Both are destined for cask and bottle. If you’re quick you might also just catch some of the November special, Braggot (4.4%), made with the addition of West Berkshire honey from hives in Compton, just four miles from the brewery. The Good Old Boys club was launched in October. Around 30 people attended the first meeting and enjoyed advance tastings of new beers, a barbecue and a “spot the hops” competition. Annual subscription is £55 from www.wbbrew.com/good-old-boys-club/ - the website also has a shop where you can buy beer, or get vouchers for a brewery tour or real ale.
CONTINUED OVERLEAF
Mine’s a Pint 7