I am delighted to announce that, as well as lots of new beers coming out, having my own exciting news to tell and other news from the breweries themselves, there's a selection of fabulous real life events this month for you all!!!!
September Events (Yay!)
4th (today) until 6th September - Tiny Beer Bash (Fierce & Noble)
On the run up to Bristol Craft Beer Festival we thought it would be fun to order in some of our friends beers.
It's a non ticketed event and will be hosted with the best possible safety precautions in place. No need to book.
We will have beers from Vibrant Forest Brewery, ADBrewing , Ridgeside Brewing Co & Pomona Island Brew Co
We will have food being served up from Danny's Burgers / Bristol Drum Smokers
Tonight until 10pm, Saturday 12-10pm and Sunday 12-6pm.
11th - 13th September - Bristol Craft Beer Festival
The Bristol festival that craft beer lovers look forward to each year is taking place at the Lloyds Amphitheatre again, and is fast approaching, with just one week to go!
Greg Wells, founder of Bristol Craft Beer Festival says "Bristol is a tremendous beer and food city, we have amazing producers right on our doorstep - the 2020 Bristol Craft Beer Festival will be in honour of them. While the festival obviously won’t be exactly the same as previous years, we want to safely raise a glass in support of this awesome city."
Click here to see the cracking brewery and line-up, from Bristol and the rest of the world, which brilliant local food stalls will be there, safety information and tickets.
Saturday sessions have now sold out, but there are still tickets for Friday 11th and Sunday 13th if you're quick!
11th and 12th September - Moor brewery tap room
"We’re super excited to open our tap room for the weekend of Bristol Craft Beer Festival - if you are attending BCBF, we’re offering 10% off your first round with a valid ticket.
We’re open 12pm-10pm on the Friday and the Saturday, with 1.5 hour bookable slots. We will welcome walk-ins but due to current guidelines we would recommend booking. You can book a table at moorbeer.co.uk/taps "
To celebrate it being on draft for the first time, there's also a free can of Distortion for you if you book your table before Sunday 6th ). Read all about Distortion in the brewery news section below.
19th September - Double Brewery Special (my own Bristol Hoppers guided tour)
I can't quite believe that I'm going to be taking a tour again in a few weeks! So exciting!
Dawkins and Fierce and Noble have come up with a solution for us to safely have a super afternoon out!
In each of their lovely brewery tap rooms we'll enjoy a selection of their own delicious beers, in a variety of styles. You can see the brew kits in each venue, and we'll have a tour to learn how beer is made.
There's about a fifteen minute walk between the breweries, so you will have individual goodie bags with snacks and beer based treats to keep you busy on the walk.
As part of the ticket, I'm also including a download of my brand new audio tour (see later in the newsletter), which is packed with interesting facts about Bristol.
You are already on my website! Please click on Guided Tours at the top of the screen for tickets. Numbers are extremely limited, and the majority of tickets are reserved for those with existing gift vouchers.
Monday Nights - The Good Measure online Pub Quiz. 8pm
Our weekly pub quiz continues on Instagram live (@thegood_measure) every Monday now back at the original time of 8pm.
Featuring a picture round posted on Instagram, a general knowledge round, a music round and a specialist round chosen by last week’s losing team, get your quiz head on for Martyn going slightly barmy talking to himself in an empty pub!
We are now open for drinking in AND take-away!
Wed-Sun (W, T, F 4-10, Sat & Sun 1-10), so head to Redland for delicious draught beer from Good Chemistry and other great breweries, fancy bottles in the fridge and bar snacks of course (for what is a pub with no crisps, nuts and Twiglets). We’re so looking forward to welcoming you back, check our social media for the latest news – cheers!🍻
26th September - Zwanze Day (Moor brewery tap room)
Zwanze - joke, kid, sort of sarcastic - a word in Brussels dialect that Cantillon use for their one off joke beer every year. They’re just fooling around.
Zwanze Day though in all seriousness is a chance to try an unusual one-off take on the historic Lambic beer style. Normally celebrated around the world and “cheersed” at the same time, this year, due to obvious reasons, Zwanze is only happening in Europe and in different circumstances.
We are doing 5 bookable sessions throughout the day for an hour and a half a session. The ticket includes entry, a pour of the Zwanze beer & access to pre-ordering some incredible Cantillon bottles. Book your table here
My own (Bristol Hoppers) very exciting news
Yay! My Old City Audio Tour is ready!
It's taken me over two months and I'm really pleased with it. Check it out!
Whether you've been in Bristol for five minutes or five decades, my new audio tour is bound to interest you with some facts about the city that you didn't know.
As you weave through the oldest parts of Bristol at your own pace, I'll tell you some history snippets of the things that you pass as well as point out fabulous independent places to eat and drink and see some brilliant street art.
When you buy my tour, I'll send you a code so that you can download it in advance using your wifi at home. Take the tour at a time that suits you, all you need is some charge in your phone and a set of headphones.
It uses a very clever app, using your location to trigger the audio that will tell you about your surroundings. This means that you can walk at any speed you like and even stop for a drink or a bite to eat.
For the price of a pint, it's the perfect way to get an hour's exercise alone while being entertained, or spend several hours taking it with a friend, stopping along the way.
Buy your audio tour here: https://www.bristolhoppers.co.uk/audio-tour
Brewery News
Dawkins
"Dawkins Ales are super happy to announce they now have their Tap Room open on Saturdays from 2pm - 6pm with a view to reopening for normal hours/days from October (watch this space).
We have reduced our tables down and provide table service, with contact-less payment, to provide our customers with a safe yet authentic brewery, Tap Room, experience. For more information or to make a booking, please email us at beers@dawkinsales.com or ring us during office hours on 0117 955 9503, booking is not essential, but advised.
We are looking at having some live music and pizza down at the Tap Room, at least once a month from October...
Being September we are aiming to be brewing our East Bristol Hop Association beer, "Easton Promise" this month. Our collaboration of hop growers in Bristol with us, producing a fresh green hop, beer with grassy hop notes. Being launched to customers for Cask Ale Week 24th Sept - 4th Oct. On Tap in our Tap Room the weekend before...possibly.
We are still offering a home delivery service, with various beery competitions, which can be checked out here www.dawkinsales.com. Fresh beer right to your door, from our taps in our Easton brewery.
Last but by no means least, we have won gold medal for our beer "East Bristol Session Porter" at the SIBA digital beer awards.
Best dark beer below 4.6% abv in the whole of the south west....
We are very happy about this and have it on Tap at our Tap.."
Fierce & Noble
"Our Taproom has been a huge success since re-opening and we're so grateful, so much so we will be updating hours. The updated hours are as follows: Fridays 3 - 10 Saturdays 12 - 10 Sundays 2 - 6
You do not need to book a table to join us for beers. We are following all GOV guidelines and monitoring the situation very closely.
And...
Growlers are back!
We now have a brand NEW mixed 6 pack! Check the link https://fierceandnoblebrewery.myshopify.com/collections/all
Good Chemistry
"Hello autumn!
After a number of setbacks our new canning equipment arrives the week of 14th Sept. We have some great beers raring to get into those 440ml tins and out to you, so keep an eye on our social media and website for all the details, webshop info and local (and national) stockists – and here’s a sneaky peek picture to tickle your tastebuds till then!
As we head into autumn, we’re excited to get going on some lovely cold-weather brews – the best time of year when it comes to beer! Look out for the return of some faves (including our award-winning Extra Special plus a VERY old favourite! 😉) and some brand new recipes.
One important thing that affects all the breweries Heather writes about and works with:
The govt announced recently a review into the way Small Brewers Duty Relief is applied, the upshot of which means small breweries will end up paying more tax.
We’ve a blogpost about it here: https://goodchemistrybrewing.co.uk/2020/08/14/sbdr/).
If you can spare a moment to check it out and sign the relevant petitions, and even write to your MP, it might mean all your favourite breweries are still here in a few years time.
(artwork by Jayde Perkin)
Thanks as ever for your continued support.
Remember, small businesses still need you to shop local, buy small, and support the independents. This tough year is not going anywhere just yet, so don’t give up on us!
Cheers,
Kelly & Bob, and all at Good Chemistry Brewing and The Good Measure"
Left Handed Giant
"We’re very almost there with the brewery move! All things going to plan we should be brewing on our shiny new kit in unit 3 this week. There's been a fair amount of work in progress these past few months and an intense few weeks navigating the move whilst keeping production at the level we need to keep our customers with beer and the taps flowing at the Brewpub. Once we’re fully in we’ll release some nice photos of our new set up plus a timelapse of the install. We’ll soon be reopening our new look taproom at the brewery."
We have 2 fresh beers for you this week:
WAVE MACHINE
6.5% Hazy Rye IPA
Simcoe Cryo, Citra Cryo, Nelson Sauvin
For this one we've switched up the malt bill - Rye was introduced taking the place of Carapils whilst also reducing the Extra Pale malt to give that real golden glow.
An herbaceous and bright aroma with notes of fresh spiced orange and marmalade hit you upfront with the golden visual delight of this Rye IPA. A pleasant citrus crispness and a touch of peppercorns on the finish are complimented by a silky smooth mouthfeel.
WEST COAST PILS
5.0% Dry Hopped Pilsner
Mosaic Cryo, Mosaic, Citra
A crisp pilsner with just the right zing of hop flavour from two trusty steeds. Mosaic gives a hint of blueberry with citrus notes of Citra to back it up.
Brewpub (Finzel's Reach) opening hours:
Mon-Thurs / 5pm-Midnight (pizza 5-9pm)
Fri-Sun / Midday-Midnight (pizza 12pm-10pm, but closed 3-5pm Fridays)
Lost and Grounded
Open for takeaway 3 - 6.30pm Fridays and 2-5pm Saturdays, stocked with all your favourite beers including fresh as mini kegs of our lush Keller Pils.
Our Belgian Beer Box is back!
Belgian brewing traditions are one of the original inspirations for us, and this pack showcases our absolute love for these lovely beer styles.
You can also order online for same day local delivery up until 1pm. Click here to access the shop
We will also be raising much needed funds to help combat homelessness by selling our funky retro T-shirts with £5 from each sale donated to Caring In Bristol. Check them out on the online shop too.
Moor
"We launched our new Session IPA Distortion back in July which is the final addition to our core range. We have been referring to Distortion as a Juicy West Coast Session IPA, if you’ve had it we would love to hear your thoughts about our rising star!
It'll be available for the first time on draft next weekend, when we are opening 12pm-10pm on the Friday and the Saturday, with 1.5 hour bookable slots. We will welcome walk-ins but we would recommend booking. You can book a table at moorbeer.co.uk/taps
If you book a table before this Sunday (6th), there's a free can of Distortion for you too!
AND if you're attending Bristol Craft Beer Festival, show us your ticket for 10% off your first round!"
New Bristol Brewery
Our canning machine has arrived! Here's an example of some of the artwork for one of our cans – we have taken Alfred on his travels and there are a lot more beery adventures to come.
We are planning to reopen taproom later in Sept with our new can take-away kiosk. We will also be opening on Fridays and Saturdays. Keep an eye on social media for updates.
We are pleased to have been picked by Brewdog to be in their list of 25 breweries to watch – the new up and coming talent in the UK. We will be taking part in early Sept in their Up & Coming Festival and will have our beer pouring in Brewdogs all over the UK.
Later that month, we're looking forward to being part of Bristol Craft beer Festival. (11th- 13th September)"
Tapestry
"We’re open Friday’s 4-9pm and Saturday’s 12-8pm in which we have seating spread out from upstairs on the mezzanine, downstairs on the brewery floor and outside on the terrace.
We have a range of keg and cask beers pouring, along with mead, cider, gin, soft drinks and snacks. If you’re fancying something more substantial, you're welcome to BYOF(Food) and we’ll provide the cutlery!
We also have all beers available in 1L bottles to takeaway.
Last month we Introduced our new head brewer Alix. In case you missed it, here's the story. She was supposed to start back in March, but with lockdown happening we were unable to make it happen. Our process started back before Christmas to find the head brewer we wanted who could add that new dimension to us.
Alix comes with a 1st class degree in Chemistry and a Master’s in Brewing & Distilling from Heriot Watt University, as well as experience at Wild Beer and Cold Town breweries. With her background, combined with our practical knowledge of our kit, we’re excited for the future!
Alix has already got to work creating some new beers and we'll soon be launching our first ever lager. As well as going into keg, It will also be packaged into a brand new format, along with a couple more of our beers…more news to come on this shortly."
Wiper and True
"We're brewing the official festival beer for this year's Bristol Craft Beer Festival.
It's a delicious Saison, brewed at our Barrel Store. It'll be available on tap at all sessions of the festival, and available to buy direct from us in cans from next Friday.
The latest release from our Barrel Store is now live - a juicy, flavour-packed mixed fermentation DIPA called Back Country. It's available in a new six-beer mixed case on our online shop: https://wiperandtrue.com/order-beer-online
We're still closed for drink-in, but our takeaway can kiosk is open 2-7pm on Friday for and 12-7pm Saturday.
And remember we're still offering a 10% discount to NHS workers for orders through our online shop (use the code 'NHS10')."
Zerodegrees
The Eat Out To Help Out is being extended throughout September. Pizzas are 50% off Monday-Friday.
Beer specials available:
Blowback IPA - 5.5% - West Coast IPA
Holzfeller - 5.3% - Dunkelweizen
Holiday Recovery - 3.6% - Small Session Pale Ale
September's venue shout-out
Bristol Spirit
Based in Redfield (BS5), Bristol Spirit is now a new womxn -focused off licence in addition to its existing bar.
You can drop by for supplies of beer, cider, wine and low/ alcohol free products, as well as the brand’s range of naturally infused spirits, cocktail kits and gift sets. As before, it features local drinks companies such as Lost & Grounded and Arbor Ales.
Now open Wednesday and Thursday 5-7, Fridays 5-10 and Saturdays 1-3 and 7-10.
Sam Espensen, co-founder, Espensen Spirit, said “There are an increasing number of fantastic womxn owned or produced drinks businesses, and this is the perfect opportunity to open a specialist bottle shop showcasing the best of them.”
She added that “We are extremely well placed to operate safe physical distancing in Bristol Spirit. Our outside space is ideal too, as we are in the middle of a residential area with plenty of room to queue safely and with free parking.”
Thanks so much for reading!
Heather. (Bristol Hoppers)