At Brentwood Brewery’s Tryanuary event, festival goers embraced the chance to try something different.  Visitors enthusiastically supped new beer styles and flavours, tasted a variety of game fare and took part in some zany brewery World Record challenges.

The idea behind the beer festival was to encourage people to try or experience something for the first time.

“A big thank you to everyone who came along to support the event.  We were delighted to see so many people enjoying themselves at the brewery on such a dull, damp, January day.

“We had fun with our World Record attempts to see how fast you could drink a third of a pint with a teaspoon and how far you could throw a cocktail stick.  The challenges raised a little bit of cash for SNAP charity,” said Managing Director Roland Kannor.

Matthew – The Disney Guy

An experienced performer but playing at the brewery for the first time, Brentwood singer Matthew Haslam-Hammond, otherwise known as The Disney Guy, entertained everyone with a repertoire of popular tunes like Under the Sea from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Remembering School Days

Matthew also managed to catch up with his old school pal, Head Brewer Ethan, although they remembered each other by their school nicknames – HH and Pace.

Matthew’s performance went down well with the brewery audience.  His big dream is to appear on a much bigger stage and to wow crowds at the Brentwood Festival one day.

Special Guests

Among the many beer fans who came along to Tryanuary were members of the local CAMRA group, including the brewery’s liaison officer Beryl and her husband Trevor.  And Billericay Brewing Company’s Director, Trevor Jeffery, popped in.

Lumberjack Andy

The brewery team recognised some other familiar faces.  Andy Webb and his dog Pippa.  Andy left his Lumberjack costume at home this time.  Was he drinking a pint of Brentwood Lumberjack though?

Rubble

Also, puppy Rubble, now four months old, who has grown so much since his last brewery visit at the brewery’s Christmas Beer Festival.  It seems Rubble enjoys a good beer festival.

The Ale

Beer fans were able to choose from a list of 10 draught real ales, all Brentwood and Elephant School beers except for the Chilli Porter 5.9% by Billericay Brewing.

Made by Caro B

Caroline of Made by Caro B was mixing mocktails using ingredients from her drinks range of shrub sodas.  Boozy hot chocolate was another alternative for non-beer drinkers.

The Cart Shed

Burgers of venison or pheasant as well as venison curry were on the menu at the Cart Shed’s snack van, a converted horse box, which was parked outside the brewery.

William of the Cart Shed restaurant in Epping was kept busy serving hungry festival goers with  assistance from Leah.

Spring Beer Festival in April

“Ethan won the cocktail stick throwing challenge, managing an impressive 6.2 metres.  If anyone wants to challenge him for the title, we look forward to hosting another contest at our Spring Beer Festival on Saturday 13th April,” added Roland.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood