qyperino

the life and (drinking) times of phil chambers

Thursday, 19 June 2008

Qype: Hanby Ales in Whitchurch



Whitchurch - Food & Drink - Wine, Beer & Spirits

I knew living in Coton was good, but I didn't know quite how good until I chanced upon what is probably my personal Mecca. I'm a bit of a atheist at heart but I would definitely pray 5 times a day in the direction of Hanby Ales, and their great leader, Mr Jack Hanby.

Jack is probably one of the most toasted men alive, after we took 2 barrels of Hanby Ale to Glastonbury with us for the first time in 2005. Nothing less than a stroke of genius, this courageous act (have you ever tried carrying this much beer for 5 miles?) resulted in plastic beakers raised round the campfire till the sun came up for 6 straight days as we lovingly cradled our pints of 'Nutcracker' and 'Cascade'.

Nutcracker is a dark 6% bitter that really hits the spot on those slightly chilly summer evenings in Pilton. Cascade is a lovely light hoppy brew that is deliciously refreshing at anytime of day or night.

When I first turned up at Hanby's - I was given the full brewery tour as we waited for our ale to decant. We sprinted up and down ladders and peered into vats and got back to the floor in time for not a drop to spill. The then packed our handy 40 pint boxes of ale into the boot and paid (cash only!) and set on our way.

I should probably talk about the awards that Hanby Ales have won. I think you could summarise it in one word - loads. Taking the gold at the Great British Beer Festival in the strong ale category for Nutcracker must have been quite a party! But I ramble. Suffice to say, this small corner of an unassuming industrial estate in rural Shropshire is nothing short of magical.

Check out my review of Hanby Ales - I am filchambers - on Qype

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