Brentwood Brewing Company was delighted to welcome hundreds of visitors to their Beer and Gin Festival at the brewery on Saturday (June 10).

Among the many beer fans enjoying a selection of Brentwood brewed real ales was the town’s new MP, Alex Burghart, who made the festival his first official constituency visit since becoming MP for Brentwood and Ongar.

“I do like drinking beer. I’m a real ale drinker. You’ve got to support local business in your own way don’t you? So, of course, I’ve tried some Brentwood beers like Brentwood Gold, Lumberjack and Chockwork Orange, which is my favourite.

“You cannot support the constituency’s interests and views unless you’re out talking to the people so it’s very much my pleasure to be here at Brentwood Brewery.

“I met Roland while I was on the campaign trail and promised if I was elected I’d come along to the festival, so here I am. Tough job eh?”

Also visiting the brewery and supporting the festival were VIP guests The Deputy Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Sheila Murphy, former Mayor Cllr Mark Reed and last year’s Mayor Cllr Noelle Hones and her husband Cllr Jon Cloke.

Returning to the brewery and keeping festival goers entertained were two Essex based ukulele bands.

The Ukulistics.

Also, trio Johnny ‘Timebomb’ Taylor on vocals and Julia and Mark Rich on ukuleles.

Brentwood Brewery MD Roland Kannor said: “It was our biggest and best Beer Festival at the brewery yet. We’re thrilled and grateful that so many local people turned out to make it such a jolly occasion. The weather was kind too as it was a marvellous, sunny, Summer’s day.

“We’d like to thank everyone for coming along including our special guests and the bands. We really appreciate the support.

“It’s been such a great success that we’re already planing our next Beer Festival, Oktoberfest, at Brentwood Brewery on Saturday 9th September.”

The brewery team was very busy throughout the day, keeping festival goers refreshed with a selection of 8 different Brentwood Beers and 4 Elephant School ones, all brewed in Brentwood.

Brewed under Brentwood’s Elephant School Brewing brand, Mango Unchained 7.2% ABV proved to be so popular that it ran out on the bar but Head Brewer Ethan Kannor came up with a novel solution. A fresh batch ready for drinking was pumped by hose directly from the fermenter vessel to the bar, much to the amusement of visitors including Cllr Jon Cloke and Mark Rich of the Ukulistics, who were keen to try it.

“Mango Unchained is one of our latest new beers under the Elephant School Brewing brand and it’s really heartwarming to see it being so well received by beer fans.

“We also thank everyone who tried and left feedback on another new brew we trialled at the festival in an attempt to create the perfect session ale, called Project #2. Some said it was ‘a light, easy drinker’ with ‘a great taste’, others got ‘biscuit notes’ and early malt flavours or light citrus tones and dry finish. It looks like Project #2 may have a promising future in the Brentwood range,” said Ethan.

As a nod to World Gin Day, a selection of Gin cocktails was also available on the brewery bar with a choice of 5 different gins.

Black Shuck Gin, produced by The Norfolk Sloe Company, based in Fakenham, Norfolk, sent representative, Neil Worsley, to the festival, to offer free samples to festival-goers. They also kindly donated a bottle of gin to the brewery bar for the event. The brand is available next door to the brewery in Calcott Hall Farm Shop.

Gin lovers also got to try free samples of Old Bakery Gin based in Palmers Green, London, which started trading just a few months ago. MD Ian Puddick with help from Will Barlow, served up some iced gin and tonics with a slight difference. Their recommendation? Fresh basil leaves and grapefruit slices.

Beer Grylls, the brewery’s mobile snack van, provided sustenance in the form gourmet burgers and handmade, traditional Brentwood IPA sausages, produced by Totham Bangers of Great Totham.

Brentwood Brewery’s Beer & Gin Festival was held slightly ahead of Beer Day Britain, a national day celebrating real ale, which this year, is being held over a weekend, 15-18 June, to incorporate Fathers Day. Themed ‘Say Cheers to Beer’ the awareness event is supported by all major organisations in the beer industry including Britain’s Beer Alliance, Society of Independent Brewers, British Beer & Pub Association and the Campaign for Real Ale.

See a short video clip of the Ukulistics playing live at the festival:

Ukulistics at Beer & Gin Festival

L0ve Beer, Love Brentwood