In this issue, we focus on Springhead Brewery - an epic tale of world records, civil war, female brewers and floods.
'Start as you mean to go on', so the saying goes, doesn't it? So, if you make the Guinness Book of Records in your first year, that might be a tough act for some to follow.
Well, OK, in the case of Springhead Brewery, the only way was up, since its particular claim to fame, in its inaugural year of 1990, was to be the smallest microbrewery in England. It was started in a tiny outbuilding, adjoining the original brewer's house, in the village of Suttonon- Trent (north Nottinghamshire), by the bend in the river Trent known as Springhead.
At a size of 2.5 barrels, the new brewery was more able to get the tongues wagging in its home village than it was in quenching those same tongues with its new brews. Whichever way you skin it, 2.5 barrels makes just 720 pints (population of Sutton is 750) - you do the maths.
Fast forward 18 years, and the brewery has had two new homes and now boasts a 50-brewers barrel plant, capable of producing 14,400 pints a day (twenty times the amount of 1990).
This success has been based on a meticulous attention to detail, to ensure the highest quality and consistency - nothing is left to chance, nothing is done from memory. Every time a beer is brewed, it's back to the original recipe, with no short-cuts: read it, follow it, brew it.
This is the work ethic of Shirley Reynolds, one of the UK's few, but growing number of, female brewers. Shirley joined the brewery in 1990 and has developed a strong range of quality beers, each with a unique character and style. Shirley's view is simple: all of those drinking a Springhead beer deserve it to taste the same every time - even if, heaven forbid, they leave it 2-3 years between one tasting and the next.
Shirley is also not tempted to overstretch the brewery in its number of beers. Many 'micros' use size to their advantage, using the increased brewing flexibility of smaller batches to brew a vast array of tastes. Nothing wrong with that at all, but Shirley limits the number of ales to around 15 - a range which allows for a good variety of styles and flavours, but also for the holy grails of 'consistency' and 'quality' to be attained.
Now, call me a cynic (if you will), but I reckon, however admirable this approach, that 'our Shirl' has another unspoken reason for restricting the number of ales. You see, back in the beginning, some bright spark came up with the idea that the name of each and every Springhead brew had to have a connection with the English Civil War, linking its proximity to Newark - steeped in the war's history. I must confess that I took Springhead's word for this, so don't shoot the messenger, if it's historically weak!
So, my point is that it must get harder to think of names. Only joking, Shirley. A few examples are Roaring Meg (a cannon used by the Parliamentarians to regain Goodrich Castle), Oliver's Army (OK, that's an easy one, as it refers to Mr Cromwell), Charlie's Angel (not Cameron Diaz, but the wife of King Charles - Henrietta Maria of France) - and so the list goes on. The only exception to the rule is Springhead Bitter, named after the bend in the river mentioned earlier.
It's that same river which added another twist in the Springhead story, when flooding submerged the brewery, in June of last year, to a depth of nearly 1.2m, causing it to close for two months.
So, there you have it - records, wars, women and floods - who said that beer was boring?
Find out more: www.springhead.co.uk
The Competition
Win a day brewing your own beer at Springhead Brewery, with Shirley.
Yes, brew your own beer and watch it sold at a local Wetherspoon in Nottingham.
For your chance to win this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question, complete your details and click on Submit below. Closing date for entries: 30/5/08
Terms and conditions:Competitions open to all UK residents over the age of 18, excluding employees of the promoter, their respective families and agents or anyone directly connected with these competitions. Acceptance of the rules is a condition of entry. No purchase necessary. Entries must be received no later than 30/5/08, except for the Fetzer competition, where entries must be received no later than 1/5/08. Proof of dispatch is not proof of receipt. The winner will be the first correctly answered entry drawn. Where multiple prizes are offered, the winners will be the first relevant number of correct entries drawn. Where the prize requires travelling to or from a venue, transport costs and incidental expenses will be the responsibility of the prize-winner(s), except when detailed otherwise in the prize description. The judge’s decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into. One entry per household. The winner/winners will be notified by post. No cash alternative available. The prize(s) will be delivered to one UK address (where the prize(s) are goods for delivery). The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend this promotion, owing to events arising beyond its control. The promoter is not responsible for any third-party acts or omissions. Promoter: J D Wetherspoon plc, Wetherspoon House, Reeds Crescent, Central Park, Watford, WD24 4QL
