Loddon Brewery
The Loddon Brewery is an award-winning brewery based in Dunsden Green in the Oxfordshire countryside, near both Henley on Thames and Reading. It has become one of the fastest growing breweries in England, with beer now available nationally.
History
Started by Chris and Vanessa Hearn in 2002, the brewery has won a number of national and regional awards for its traditional real ales, including the 2006 Tesco Drinks Awards (Bottled) and a host of CAMRA [1] and SIBA [2] awards.
The name derives from the brewery's location in the Loddon Valley.
Chris, and head brewer Steve Brown, both worked at Brakspear Brewery in Henley on Thames before the launch of Loddon. Steve was lead brewer, having worked at the historic Henley site for over 30 years, until its sad closure in 2002.
The brewery is one of the principal sponsors of the Henley Food Festival [3] and Henley Wanderers RFC.[4]
Loddon Brewery won Newcomer of the Year at the Henley on Thames Business Awards 2004,[5] and Chris scooped Business Person of the Year in 2006.[6]
On August 5, 2008, Ferryman's Gold received the silver medal in the golden beer category at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court, in London.
Beers
The Brewery produces five year-round beers:
- Hoppit Classic Bitter - 3.5%
- Forbury Lion IPA - 5.5%
- Hullabaloo - 4.2%
- Ferryman's Gold - 4.4%
- Bamboozle- 4.8%
- Reading Best - 4.0%
In addition, Loddon Brewery produces 12 monthly specials:
- January - Chantry Cheer - 4.2%
- February - Sorry Not Available - 4.3%
- March - Life of Riley - 4.5%
- April - Hornet's Nest - 4.3%
- May - Dragonfly - 4%
- June - Green Bullet - 4.6%
- July - Whirlwind - 4.4%
- August - Check Mate - 4.8%
- September - Mumbojumbo - 4.3% - or Wolf-Bine - 4.4%
- October - Oarsome - 4.4%
- November - Boozy Floozy - 4.5%
- December - Razzle Dazzle - 4.3%
Other special beers are produced throughout the year at regular intervals.