West Berkshire Brewery

Coordinates: 51°28′2″N 1°12′17″W / 51.46722°N 1.20472°W / 51.46722; -1.20472

West Berkshire Brewery
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
1995Good Old BoyOverall WinnerBeer of the FestivalCAMRA White Horse Branch Beer Festival
1997Dr Hexter's HealerRunner UpBeer of the FestivalCAMRA Northamptonshire Branch Beer Festival
2002Good Old BoyGold MedalBest BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Good Old BoySecond Reserve ChampionOverallSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMild and PorterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Mr Chubb's Lunchtime BitterSilver MedalStandard BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Dr Hexter's HealerSilver MedalStrong AleSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2003Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMild and PorterSIBA National Beer Competition
2003Full CircleSilver MedalBest BitterCAMRA Great British Beer Festival
2004Maggs Magnificent MildOverall WinnerBeer of the FestivalBracknell Blues and Real Ale Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMildCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildThird PlaceOverallCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMildSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Maggs Magnificent MildBronze MedalOverallSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Good Old BoySilver MedalBest BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Dr Hexter's Wedding AleThird PlaceBest BitterNorwich Beer Festival
2006Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalMildSIBA National Beer Competition
2006Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalMildCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2006Old Father ThamesBronze MedalLight BittersSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2007SkiffGold MedalStandard BitterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2007Full CircleBronze MedalPremium BiterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2007Mash TunBronze MedalBest BitterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalBest Local BeerCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Mr Chubb's Lunchtime BitterGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalIn CategoryCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2009Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalBest Local BeerCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2009Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA London and South East Regional competition
2009Good Old BoyGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA London and South East Regional competition

References

  1. "The West Berkshire Brewery Company Ltd". www.quaffale.org.uk. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  2. Newbury Today | Stockcross pub clinches award
  3. "THE WEST BERKSHIRE BREWERY PLC - Officers". Companies House. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  4. "Meet the Team". West Berkshire Brewery. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  5. "West Berkshire". www.ratebeer.com. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  6. "Beer Awards". West Berkshire Brewery. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  7. Newbury Today | Gold and silver for local breweries
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