Woodfordes Presentation and Visit

Having declared Beer of the Festival for Larling Rhythm and Booze 2002 as Admiral's Reserve by Woodforde's, the next step was to present the award.

On the night, representatives of the branch and a party brought by Andy Stammers from The Angel Inn at Larling, home of the festival, were welcomed by one of Woodforde's directors Dennis Nudd. First came initial lubrication at the adjoining Fur and Feathers, Woodforde's brewery tap. Next was a tour of the brewery by the manager Dr.David Crease and senior brewer Bruce Ash. For those of the party who'd not been there before, the layout was something of a surprise. Utilising old and preserved farm buildings, the rambling layout was more akin to a long established family brewery than a company younger than CAMRA! During the visit, much was made of the cleanliness/hygiene, traceability of high quality raw materials and samples held for quality and microbiological testing.

The overall impression was of a traditional operation with a level of quality assurance generally associated with a larger brewery. These combine to give the familiar Woodforde's beer a consistency not always achieved by other breweries of this size. Woodforde's are also challenging the current decline of genuine free houses by work to expand production to a scale where supplying pub chains and supermarkets is feasible.

Getting back to the point, the award was presented in Woodforde's well stocked souvenir shop. The branch's Publicity Officer, Andrea Briers, gave the award saying how pleasant it was to be able to recognise the efforts of a local brewer. Accepting the award Dr.Crease said "Its fantastic when any of your beers wins an award, but to take away the top prize with a beer that was launched less than six months ago is very encouraging". The beer had been created to commemorate Woodforde's recent 21st Anniversary.

On return to the Fur and Feathers, we took the trouble to remind ourselves why Admiral's Reserve had won the award. At 5% a.b.v., the well rounded beer comes over as round and maltier that Woodforde's general snappy, hoppy signature taste. It goes down dangerously easily for a beer of its strength

Thanks to Woodforde's and their staff for their hospitality and for spending their evening on our business and socialising afterwards in the Fur and Feathers.

{content}