West Berkshire Brewery
Coordinates: 51°28′2″N 1°12′17″W / 51.46722°N 1.20472°W
 | |
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Yattendon, Berkshire, England |
| Products | Beer |
Production output | ≈4000 UK barrels |
| Owner | Dave and Helen Maggs |
| Website | http://www.wbbrew.com |
The West Berkshire Brewery is a microbrewery in Yattendon, Berkshire, England. Founded in 1995 by husband and wife Dave and Helen Maggs, the brewery grew out of its original brickworks shed in Frilsham and now brews exclusively in Yattendon at a rate of 80 barrels per week (as of 2009).[1]
History
The brewery was founded in the summer of 1995 in a dilapidated building behind the Pot Kiln in Frilsham, approximately 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from the Yattendon site. Within the first year of operations, the brewery won their first award.
Expansion
By 2000, the business had outgrown the original site and so opened a second unit in Yattendon, thus increasing capacity to 25 barrels per week. However, this proved insufficient and in 2006 more fermenters were installed, increasing yield by 220% (a total output of 80 barrels per week). With this, the Frilsham plant ceased operations in April 2007.
In 2005, the brewery acquired their first pub, the Rising Sun at Stockcross. In 2007, the pub secured the CAMRA West Berkshire Branch pub of the year award.[2]
David Bruce, founder of the Firkin pub chain, was appointed a director in 2013[3] and is chairman of the company.[4]
Beers
The company produces a range of beers, including Maggs Magnificent Mild.[5]
Awards
The company has received a number of SIBA and CAMRA local beer festival awards.[6][7]
| Year | Beer Name | Prize | Category | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Good Old Boy | Overall Winner | Beer of the Festival | CAMRA White Horse Branch Beer Festival |
| 1997 | Dr Hexter's Healer | Runner Up | Beer of the Festival | CAMRA Northamptonshire Branch Beer Festival |
| 2002 | Good Old Boy | Gold Medal | Best Bitter | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2002 | Good Old Boy | Second Reserve Champion | Overall | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2002 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Gold Medal | Mild and Porter | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2002 | Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter | Silver Medal | Standard Bitter | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2002 | Dr Hexter's Healer | Silver Medal | Strong Ale | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2003 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Gold Medal | Mild and Porter | SIBA National Beer Competition |
| 2003 | Full Circle | Silver Medal | Best Bitter | CAMRA Great British Beer Festival |
| 2004 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Overall Winner | Beer of the Festival | Bracknell Blues and Real Ale Festival |
| 2005 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Gold Medal | Mild | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2005 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Third Place | Overall | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2005 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Gold Medal | Mild | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2005 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Bronze Medal | Overall | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2005 | Good Old Boy | Silver Medal | Best Bitter | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2005 | Dr Hexter's Wedding Ale | Third Place | Best Bitter | Norwich Beer Festival |
| 2006 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Silver Medal | Mild | SIBA National Beer Competition |
| 2006 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Silver Medal | Mild | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2006 | Old Father Thames | Bronze Medal | Light Bitters | SIBA South East Region Beer Competition |
| 2007 | Skiff | Gold Medal | Standard Bitter | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2007 | Full Circle | Bronze Medal | Premium Biter | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2007 | Mash Tun | Bronze Medal | Best Bitter | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2008 | Dr Hexter's Healer | Gold Medal | Best Local Beer | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2008 | Mr Chubb's Lunchtime Bitter | Gold Medal | In Category | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2008 | Maggs Magnificent Mild | Silver Medal | In Category | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2009 | Dr Hexter's Healer | Gold Medal | Best Local Beer | CAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival |
| 2009 | Dr Hexter's Healer | Gold Medal | In Category | CAMRA London and South East Regional competition |
| 2009 | Good Old Boy | Gold Medal | In Category | CAMRA London and South East Regional competition |
References
- ↑ "The West Berkshire Brewery Company Ltd". www.quaffale.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ↑ Newbury Today | Stockcross pub clinches award
- ↑ "THE WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY PLC - Officers". Companies House. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ↑ "Meet the Team". West Berkshire Brewery. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ↑ "West Berkshire". www.ratebeer.com. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
- ↑ "Beer Awards". West Berkshire Brewery. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
- ↑ Newbury Today | Gold and silver for local breweries