Along
the way, though, we almost lost it. The breweries became luxury flats, the pubs
closed or turned into big screen sports venues serving Jager Bombs, and the
10-pack of supermarket lager replaced the round of drinks in the local as
austerity continued to bite.
Then
something happened. Within the last 10 years, a beer revolution has seen
micro-breweries spring up all over the country, to the point where there are
now more than 1,200 breweries nationwide producing 6,000+ ales. Dorset is fully
part of that renaissance. Look out for the following next time it’s your round…
Jennifer from Southbourne Ales |
SOUTHBOURNE ALES
Formerly
at Ringwood Brewery and Town Mill Brewery in Lyme Regis, Jennifer Tingay struck
out on her own to launch Southbourne Ales in 2013. You’ll recognise the
award-winning labels, but might soon become even more familiar with the range
of eight ales, stouts and bitters. Sunbather Red Ale won first prize in the
2015 The Label of the Year awards and Stroller is an International Brewing
Awards silver medallist. The next plan is to open Bournemouth’s only brewery on
the site of the former Bumbles Nightclub on Poole Hill. Read more here
PIDDLE BREWERY
Another
small brewery, launched in 2014, that understands the importance of building a
distinctive brand. John Lavers quit the corporate world to launch Piddle
Brewery with his business partner Ian Siddall in Piddlehinton near Dorchester. They
overhauled the brewing process to produce consistent quality, and now brew four
cask and four seasonal ales, as well as ciders. It’s a fun, irreverent brand
with a distinctive Dorset character. Look out for partnerships and events with
local chefs and restaurants. Read more here
DBC ALES
Founded
in 1996 by Giles Smeath, The Dorset Brewing Company launched a modern brewhouse
in 2011 in Dorchester capable of pumping out 1.5 million pints a year. You’ll
find the Jurassic Coast brands such as Yachtsman, Durdle Door and Chesil around
Dorchester and Weymouth, as well as further afield. Six new limited edition
ales are introduced in 2016. Read more here
SUNNY REPUBLIC
Launched
in 2012 in Winterborne Kingston, Sunny Republic claims to have the most advanced
brewing equipment in Britain, but is based on the site of two restored Georgian
grain barns. They produce nine ales including Beach Blonde pale ale and a stout
porter. Read more here
LYME REGIS BREWERY
Used
to be called the Town Mills Brewery, before becoming Lyme Regis Brewery in
2010. Produces five regular and several seasonal ales, including the excellent Cobb
Bitter. All have won Taste of the West awards. Read more here
BOURNEMOUTH BREWING CO.
OK,
it’s actually in Poole, but has surged from a one-barrel brewplant in 2012 to producing
more than 1,788 pints a week. A total of five beers, stouts and porters,
including Bournemouth Best and Wessex Wobble. Read more here
CORFE CASTLE BREWERY
A
family-owned independent brewery in Wareham, using malts from Warminster
Maltings, one of the few remaining floor maltings in the UK. Produces four cask
ales. Read more here
HALL & WOODHOUSE
One
of the exceptions to the micro-brewery trend. Founded in 1777, Hall &
Woodhouse has been run by seven generations of the Woodhouse family in
Blandford St. Mary. Runs more than 200 pubs across the South West and produces
the high-profile Badger label, including the excellent Tangle Foot. Read more here
PALMERS
Another
Dorset institution, this time from the brewery in Bridport. Brewing since 1794,
now producing five cask and bottled ales. Given their distribution capability,
you’ll find their beers across the West Country. Read more here
SIXPENNY BREWERY
Launched
by Scott Wayland in 2007, Sixpenny moved to Sixpenny Handley in Dorset two
years later with a 2.5-barrel plant. Produces four year-round ales using Maris
Otter barley, including 6D Best and Sam Fm ale, as well as five seasonal beers.
Named 2015 Taste of Dorset Best Brewer, but probably best known for the on-site
Sixpenny Tap, one of the smallest pubs in the UK with room for just 17 patrons.
Plans to move to Cranborne to upgrade to a 20-barrel plant. Read more here
CERNE ABBAS BREWERY
Brewing
in Cerne Abbas goes back to the 10th century, courtesy of the Cerne
Abbey monks. In 2014, Vic Irvine and Jodie Moore, self-taught brewers, gave the
industry a reboot. Under the tutelage of Rob Martin from Piddle, and with the
help of the finest North Dorset water, Cerne Abbas produces nine cask and
bottle ales. Already a Taste of Dorset brewery finalist, Cerne Abbas achieved
plenty of coverage recently when their beer was served in the Houses of
Parliament bar – with the modesty of the Cerne Abbas giant on the label
protected with a fig leaf. Read more here
EIGHT ARCH
Another
local brewery reviving a tradition, this time in Wimborne. The five-barrel
brewery produces four ales and porters, and was a Gold winner in SIBA South
West 2016. Started by Steve Farrell in 2015 and now brewing three times a
fortnight. Read more here
As
always, if you’d like to recommend a beer or just pipe up with a comment,
please leave your message below…
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