Fragile Xmas Fun

A big thank you to everyone who came along to support the brewery’s Christmas Beer Festival on Saturday, to launch Fragile Xmas Ale, enjoy good beer in the company of friends and to raise some funds for the Fragile X Society charity.

We would particularly like to thank The Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Noelle Hones and Mayor’s Consort Cllr Jon Cloke for not only being our special VIP guests but also for all their hard work in helping us to raise money for the Fragile X Society. The Mayor donated a giant teddy for a Guess The Name of the Bear competition and personally accompanied the bear around the brewery, gently persuading guests to take part by making a donation of £1 per guess.

Brentwood Brewery MD said: “There was a jolly festive atmosphere here at the brewery on Saturday and we’re delighted that so many kind-hearted people came along to support our fund raising efforts for The Fragile X Society charity.

“We hope Fragile Xmas Ale will help to raise awareness of Fragile X Syndrome, a condition our grandson, Oakley, was diagnosed with last year.

“We’ve had interest and orders from across the globe for this special beer and we hope the donations we make for every pint and bottle sold will raise a good amount for the charity’s essential work.”

The brewery was also delighted to welcome The Fragile X Society’s Chief Executive, Becky Hardiman and Sophie Kashi, in Fundraising and Communications. The Essex-based national charity helps children and families with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition and the most common inherited cause of learning disability. As well as lending a hand behind the bar pulling a pint or two, the busy baking pair sold homemade mince pies and the society’s Christmas cards.

Behind the bars were Roland and Debbie Kannor as well as Head Brewer Ethan and his wife Holly. Also Shannon and Bill. There was, of course, lots of Brentwood Christmas beer but one was destined to shine out more than the rest – Fragile Xmas Ale, which was launched with the Mayor’s help, atop Santa’s sleigh, borrowed from Brentwood Rotary Club for the event. Brentwood Brewery has promised The Fragile X Society will receive a 10p donation for every bottle or pint of Fragile Xmas Ale 4.3% ABV sold .

Getting the party started was Barleylands-based ukulele band, J-uke Box, playing a mixture of music from the 60s to the 80s as well as some well known festive tunes. Thanks for coming along J-uke Box.

Santa popped in to pose for photos on his sleigh. Among the children’s activities on offer, making Christmas decorations and colouring in were most popular.

Prizes for the raffle in aid of The Fragile X Society included beer, a brewery tour for two, a free range chicken from Berts butchers, a Mitchells Barbers gift voucher, a fruit basket from Calcott Hall Farm Shop and a back massage from Brush Hair and Beauty. The brewery would like to thank everyone who kindly donated prizes.

Jaye and Chloe (wo)-manned the brewery’s mobile grill snack van and were kept super-busy serving tasty turkey and vegetarian curries and lots of chips to hungry guests.

Caroline Brown from Brentwood of Carob was on hand with some homemade cacao confections for everyone to try. Some of the truffles Caroline makes contain the brewery’s Chockwork Orange – they are divine.

An auction was held by Head Brewer Ethan to sell off the last remaining bottle of Brentwood Special Reserve beer. Two generous festival-goers dug deep into their pockets to donate £40 to The Fragile X Society for it. Thanks go to Paul Stanford of Collier Row and Robert Butterfield from Basildon.

As for the giant teddy, one lucky toddler will soon have a new friend. The clever bear raised £77 for the Fragile X Society. Figgy was the winning name. It was won by Ray Allington from Brentwood. He knows his friend Gemma’s daughter, two year old Poppy, will gladly give Figgy a new home.