Just off the Stourbridge Ring Road, only a minute or two by
foot from the main shopping area, lies Craddock’s Brewery. Yesterday I paid it a visit.
Situated behind a quaint and cosy pub, this brewery defies all
expectations, because for all its compact nature, it manages to supply the pub to
which it’s attached, and three others owned by the company, with a constant
supply of ale.
Now you know me, I don’t drink ale. But I had booked the
brewery tour as a present for my partner, and so for that reason, plus the fact
that I seldom turn down new experiences, I accompanied him.
To be truthful, I wasn’t expecting much. Our admission
ticket included pie and mash at the end of the tour, and prior to the event I
thought that would most likely be all I got out of the experience.
I was wrong.
The owner of the brewery, David Craddock, conducted the tour
himself and proved to be witty, approachable and exceptionally knowledgeable,
not just about the process of making good beer, but the history of it.
Along with the others in the tour I sniffed hops, tasted
some of the ingredients used to flavour the drink and asked numerous questions.
All were answered with ease and appreciation.
At the end of the tour came the sampling. Generous volumes
of ale were handed out and I did take a sip of each one and even as a novice
and proclaimed wine drinker, I had to admit that there were subtleties of
flavour I hadn’t expected.
And I was particularly interested to learn that David plans
to open a bar right in the heart of Birmingham, funded by Crowdfunding, where
profits will go to charity. As a true believer in giving back to the community,
I think it’s a great idea and wish him well.
So if you like ale, or you’re just looking for a novel day
out, take the Craddock’s Brewery tour. Oh and by the way, the pie and mash was
great too!
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