Ale's well for Andrew
A love of good ale and traditional brewing has prompted one Black Country father-of-four to start up his own brewery. A love of good ale and traditional brewing has prompted one Black Country father-of-four to start up his own brewery. Andrew Brough, from Newbridge, Wolverhampton, took on the unenviable task of transforming Bridgnorth Brewery into a fully operational site following years of dereliction. He used to be head brewer at Sarah Hughes Brewery in Dudley but quit last year and thanks to the backing of some generous businessmen he is now making his own ales. The first pints of Bridgnorth beer were pulled in January and since then Mr Brough has created two new ales. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Andrew Brough, from Newbridge, Wolverhampton, took on the unenviable task of transforming Bridgnorth Brewery into a fully operational site following years of dereliction.
He used to be head brewer at Sarah Hughes Brewery in Dudley but quit last year and thanks to the backing of some generous businessmen he is now making his own ales.
The first pints of Bridgnorth beer were pulled in January and since then Mr Brough has created two new ales.
One, called the Bishop Percy, will be available at Wolverhampton Beer Festival in the Wulfrun Hall from Thursday.
Mr Brough, aged 29, said: "The old Bridgnorth Brewery dates from the 1600s and all that was left of it was a couple of walls.
"It has been a massive refurbishment job for the past year. The first line I had brewed sold out straight away and so I've created two more and they are all being very well received.
"I've just tasted my first pint of the Bishop Percy and it's a 4.7 per cent full-bodied amber ale with a fruity mature flavour."
Mr Brough gets a lot of job satisfaction from his work. He has been financially supported by the village butcher, delicatessen and wine shop owner and they all have high hopes for his ales.
He said: "At the moment it is supplied to the King's Head and will be available in the Stable Bar here in Bridgnorth but I am also looking at supplying to other bars and possibly the Severn Railway bar in the future."
The Bishop Percy is not the only new ale to appear at the beer festival.
Conwy Castle Bitter from North Wales and Dark Star Espresso Stout will also tempt the tastebuds of the connoisseur and will compete with more than 100 established beers.
Campaign for Real Ale organiser Dave Powell said: "We are very pleased with this year's range.
"The Dark Star Espresso Stout is probably the most unusual beer at the festival as it is made with ground espresso coffee beans."
The festival opens on Thursday at 5pm and runs through to Saturday.