Energy costs
One of the most damaging increases in costs for breweries over the last few years has been the cost of energy. It had been hoped that brewers would be included in the Government’s British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme which, from April 2027, will see electricity bills cut by up to 25% for over 10,000 businesses in certain categories. Sadly, brewing will not be one of them.
Looking to the future
Asahi are looking to encourage regenerative agriculture in the UK in partnership with the malt suppliers Boortmalt. The aim is to introduce practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, crop rotation and reduced artificial fertiliser use. It is hoped that this will result in enhanced soil fertility, better crop yields and increased water conservation, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions. The malt produced by the participating farms will be used in Fuller’s London Pride, Meantime Prime Pale and Dark Star Hophead. The Griffin brewery in Chiswick uses over 3,000 metric tonnes of pale malt per annum, which is about 90% of their overall malt usage.
Thurstons to close
Although based in Horsell, near Woking, Thurston’s beers are often seen on the south-west side of London. Unfortunately, not for much longer. After fourteen years, owner John Mintram is calling it a day. He told the Woking News and Mail, “It’s just one thing after another – National Insurance rises, beer duty rises, the cost of resources. It’s just got harder and harder and it’s got to the point where it’s just not economical anymore.”
Hurricane hits Kingston
Windsor and Eton brewery (WEBrew) are celebrating the opening of their new outlet in Kingston on Thames with the launch of a new beer, Hurricane, a 4.5% ABV IPA brewed with Chinook and Lemondrop hops. The pump clip portrays a Hawker Hurricane of 85 Squadron RAF, as flown by John ‘Paddy’ Hemmingway. It was shot down in August 1940 and crashed at Fobbing Marshes in Essex. Happily, the pilot ejected safely and lived to be 105, passing away last year. The plane has been recovered and is being restored at Hawker Restorations in Suffolk. There are local connections. The plane’s designer, Sir Sydney Camm, was born in Windsor, close to WEBrew’s brewery, and a large number of Hurricanes were built in Kingston. In September, WEBrew plan to hold an exhibition about the Hurricane at the pub. The pub is what was formerly Woody’s, riverside at 5 Ram Passage, High Street, Kingston.
Micheal James Jackson Foundation
Although it is based in the USA, the Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing & Distilling was created to honour the memory of the man who we knew as the Beer Hunter. Michael actually lived in Hammersmith. The Foundation has recently issued its latest impact assessment. It’s stated aim is ‘Funding technical education and career advancement for people of colour in the brewing and distilling industries’. It was launched in the summer of 2020 and has since funded 71 individuals to attend over 15 accredited brewing and distilling schools, including Heriot Watt University and the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers in the UK. The investment totals $608,000 to date. For more information see https://www.themjf.org/home/.
Martin Butler
Twisted
Adnams produced one of the better April Fool’s jokes this year with the announcement that they were planning to enhance their lighthouse tours by adding a helter-skelter ramp to the outside. In keeping with the local aesthetic, it would, of course, be a traditional wooden structure, painted in navy and white. Visitors would be invited to save themselves the 113 step climb back down by taking a malt sack, tucking in their elbows, and sliding all the way down to the Sole Bay for a pint.