Discussion
I've done Adnams and Shepherd Neame twice. They are good fun but they are all quite similar. Was disappointed at the end of the Adnams tour we were given the same beer we'd been drinking in Southwold that weekend, was hoping for some of their more obscure brews. First time at Shepherd Neame was about 15 years ago and you could have as much as you liked, second time more recently was very limited half samples.
Theakstons tour was a bit basic, you got some tokens to spend at their bar afterwards, either on small tasters or pints. The bar was quite sizeable, but also cosy with a log fire blazing away in the corner.
Black sheep had a bit more going for it, the tour was much more lively, interesting and they have a restaurant too, the food was pretty good.
There was some interesting history between the two in that when Scottish & Newcastle managed to get the majority share of Theakstons they wanted the main man (Paul Theakston) out, so he went. Not far though, in fact more or less across the road where he set up the BS brewery and I think they are bigger than Theakstons now.
One thing I noted was that beer doesn't travel or bottle too well, it was much better fresh from their taps...
Black sheep had a bit more going for it, the tour was much more lively, interesting and they have a restaurant too, the food was pretty good.
There was some interesting history between the two in that when Scottish & Newcastle managed to get the majority share of Theakstons they wanted the main man (Paul Theakston) out, so he went. Not far though, in fact more or less across the road where he set up the BS brewery and I think they are bigger than Theakstons now.
One thing I noted was that beer doesn't travel or bottle too well, it was much better fresh from their taps...
The Orkney brewrey tour. It was a very insightful tour. They made us taste all of the diffrent grains they use to make the diffrent beers and how toasting to certain levels makes the diffrent flavours. We got 3 thirds at the end of the tour at the bar so between me and my girlfriend we got the entire range to try. We didnt get rushed at all. It was a very good tour for the £5 tour price.
I'm actually up in Yorkshire at the moment for a week and called over to Masham today. I've drunk both Black Sheep and Theakstons over the years and often wanted to see the breweries first hand.
We didn't have time to see the Theakston one but went around the Black Sheep one today.
Before the tour myself and family ate in the restaurant which is attached to he Black Sheep brewery and visitor centre. The food was very good, loads of items involving beer as an ingredient as you would expect. Quite reasonably priced too IMO, although living in the south east for the last 15 years may have warped my sense of pricing.
The tour itself started off with a seated area and a talk from our tour guide. Knowledgeably chap, some weak jokes, a little banter with the audience and a voice that was loud enough to be heard at the back. Mainly an input at this point on the history, Paul Theakston, the move from Theakston and how Black Sheep came to exist once he left the 'other' Masham brewery, as it was referred to. I was quite interested in this side of the story. Then there was a video input with Paul Theakston featuring on this.
The tour itself of the brewery then took place, initially around the old part and then the new. Enough detail to keep me interested without so much that a chemistry degree would be needed to keep up.
Total time from sitting down at the beginning to the end of the physical tour was an hour and a half. The tour ticket included 2x third of a pint drinks at the bar afterwards to sample the beers or have a cup of tea/ soft drink.
Enjoyable.
We didn't have time to see the Theakston one but went around the Black Sheep one today.
Before the tour myself and family ate in the restaurant which is attached to he Black Sheep brewery and visitor centre. The food was very good, loads of items involving beer as an ingredient as you would expect. Quite reasonably priced too IMO, although living in the south east for the last 15 years may have warped my sense of pricing.
The tour itself started off with a seated area and a talk from our tour guide. Knowledgeably chap, some weak jokes, a little banter with the audience and a voice that was loud enough to be heard at the back. Mainly an input at this point on the history, Paul Theakston, the move from Theakston and how Black Sheep came to exist once he left the 'other' Masham brewery, as it was referred to. I was quite interested in this side of the story. Then there was a video input with Paul Theakston featuring on this.
The tour itself of the brewery then took place, initially around the old part and then the new. Enough detail to keep me interested without so much that a chemistry degree would be needed to keep up.
Total time from sitting down at the beginning to the end of the physical tour was an hour and a half. The tour ticket included 2x third of a pint drinks at the bar afterwards to sample the beers or have a cup of tea/ soft drink.
Enjoyable.
I like the tour at Cropton Brewery in North Yorkshire. Been a couple of times taking different people over the years, and the guides are really knowledgeable. For example one friend we took used to farm where my parents farm now (old boy) so he really tested the guide about Barley etc. and he really did rise to the challenge.
You finish up in the pub - I think you get a free pint each of your choosing, but they usually have a good range of their beers including specials on (including two years ago a recipe from the 40's they'd been gifted and put in to production). Worth getting a taxi out there and testing them all out. Food is great too which is another bonus!
You finish up in the pub - I think you get a free pint each of your choosing, but they usually have a good range of their beers including specials on (including two years ago a recipe from the 40's they'd been gifted and put in to production). Worth getting a taxi out there and testing them all out. Food is great too which is another bonus!
Rebellion in Marlow. Always drunk their beer, but stepdad bought himself a membership for christmas, and we went a month or so ago.
Was a bloody good night. As much beer as you can drink, good food, nice informative tour, as much beer as you can drink and a massive outdoor urinal.
Saw Tom Kerridge doing some cookery for his TV show too, and where we were stood they can't really edit us out. Possibly a shame, as we were both very inebriated!
Next time we go we plan to look around a bit more, but it's such a small place there's only so long you can stare at identical looking fermenting tanks
Was a bloody good night. As much beer as you can drink, good food, nice informative tour, as much beer as you can drink and a massive outdoor urinal.
Saw Tom Kerridge doing some cookery for his TV show too, and where we were stood they can't really edit us out. Possibly a shame, as we were both very inebriated!
Next time we go we plan to look around a bit more, but it's such a small place there's only so long you can stare at identical looking fermenting tanks
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