tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21133597336287146002024-03-14T08:00:47.383+00:00Bitter End Brewing Cothe online home of Bitter End beer news and viewssteveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-16485087578504205662009-11-27T21:04:00.008+00:002009-11-27T21:33:01.195+00:00November, a new brewery, flooding, and new beerFollowing four days of heavy rain last week, Bitter End Brewing Co's new brewery site to which we moved less than one month ago -Derwent Mills, in Cockermouth was surrounded by floodwater and inaccessible to those without water skis, or an ark.<br /> <br />We waded across on Friday, as the water level began to fall, in order to asses the extent of the damage, and I am relieved to report that the new premesis resisted the best attempts of the river to get in and very little damage occured -We're very fortunate that the brewery is housed a hundred yards upstream of the confluence of the Derwent and Cocker where the worst flooding took place. Had we been a few yards downstream it could have been a very different story.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsQVNz0Dbe-jWt3ybhnUdhLhuXp04Z9Zxo9eutncxBE5hsxTCZijf_wnUx_getBLIa-KZhIG5f9vIsDVCBrMUv_Xhj8xbhlinz019cITbYvpSbpkX3pR8rHFpLAdu0e2H_OtT7hLGGcY/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsQVNz0Dbe-jWt3ybhnUdhLhuXp04Z9Zxo9eutncxBE5hsxTCZijf_wnUx_getBLIa-KZhIG5f9vIsDVCBrMUv_Xhj8xbhlinz019cITbYvpSbpkX3pR8rHFpLAdu0e2H_OtT7hLGGcY/s320/IMG_2885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408896791661122978" /></a> <br />We've been brewing fine beers again this week for bottle and for cask, and remain open for business. It's strange to be cut-off from the town -the only foot bridge washed away and the road bridge closed, pending structural assesment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCIB6wbslPpfRhw9YiOsWsBz2cyRfXrAobkcx6UvpaRu5xQSsk7Yv-WGvRrTpgNrYBjMiihwio9t4kQOkoerr-GVYe-5w1_Eid775R_nvA1bjLHSnmtutAvrT6CBjkzhCSOF3BQrptys/s1600/Flood_at_Brewery_329115048_std.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCIB6wbslPpfRhw9YiOsWsBz2cyRfXrAobkcx6UvpaRu5xQSsk7Yv-WGvRrTpgNrYBjMiihwio9t4kQOkoerr-GVYe-5w1_Eid775R_nvA1bjLHSnmtutAvrT6CBjkzhCSOF3BQrptys/s320/Flood_at_Brewery_329115048_std.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408898004340034066" /></a><br />There have been some exciting developments at the brewery in recent weeks of which I will do my best to keep you abreast off...the development of our first ever India Pale Ale -Lakeland IPA -5.5%ABV -get down to the Round Table Beer festival in Cockermouth next weekend for a taste. Keep your eyes open for a special bottled version too!<br /><br />In addition to IPA, there will also be two more additional brews available at your local farmers' market or foodhall -Visit <a href="http://www.bitterendbrewingco.com">www.bitterendbrewingco.com</a> for detail and more of the latest news.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-39639266079878477662009-09-24T10:31:00.007+01:002009-09-24T12:39:25.089+01:00Hops, hops, hops.The following news comes courtesy of our sometimes Herefordshire correspondant...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8G-zQxim7e50KlbgEt2gpMhvwaxeRRI-wuiqJ8PQOYcCtw3qAzQ1RnB0Kk7tWhx0GAlpgmGGOmczZ4KHO4d-z1Ary4h1hsqGIoXA1-YBfqmqG8wr-RmjOSwWHUYdxThNnfsbCLlkfJ0/s1600-h/IMG_0156.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8G-zQxim7e50KlbgEt2gpMhvwaxeRRI-wuiqJ8PQOYcCtw3qAzQ1RnB0Kk7tWhx0GAlpgmGGOmczZ4KHO4d-z1Ary4h1hsqGIoXA1-YBfqmqG8wr-RmjOSwWHUYdxThNnfsbCLlkfJ0/s400/IMG_0156.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384972927683479026" /></a><br /><br />On the first day of September, Bitter End Brewery owner Mike and Brewer Steve, paid a visit to Pridewood Farm in Ashperton, Herefordshire at the invitation of hop merchants <a href="http://www.wellhopped.co.uk">Charles Farhams</a>. Farhams, based just the other side of the Malvern Hills were eager to show off the new state of the art hop kilns that have been installed at Pridewood after the old brick and timber kilns were badly damaged by fire during the 2007 season...The new kilns incorporate a greater degree of automation, reducing some of the manual work that was associated with the old kilns. The drying process itself too is computer controlled thus ensuring a better quality of end product although Pridewood's farmer Martin Powell-Tuck is still up to the early hours to keep a watchful eye over his hops -on this day, the first day of the 2009 harvest, it was Goldings that was being brought in.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52tBm7C_RiXm6mBphJZ13FK_VyCflZLjLiK5zDp9kz5mH8zHlcb0VxUODmHdLJKtThjYP6vv6XR8EemYef3uVLRb5h3InF8lQp5c3OQFVh1aApFNopOVBQwkZkTaLrR2nA6qCte9snOs/s1600-h/IMG_0159.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52tBm7C_RiXm6mBphJZ13FK_VyCflZLjLiK5zDp9kz5mH8zHlcb0VxUODmHdLJKtThjYP6vv6XR8EemYef3uVLRb5h3InF8lQp5c3OQFVh1aApFNopOVBQwkZkTaLrR2nA6qCte9snOs/s400/IMG_0159.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384972533178111378" /></a><br /><br />It is a wonderful sight to see the bines being cut out in the field, brought by trailer to the picking shed where the hops are stripped from the bine ready to be conveyed to the kiln where they're spread over the large floors and dried such that moisture is reduced by as much as 90%.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt4VoHkM4DOmnOxJmtCF-8lA3M2f4GjdIkQT6DxLOONRXnC3nSme8XXUgBtl7x7hllHrm7zBlF_Xbpbow1jaYaUXFh3AGaXWK77eslJ5gdZJ4hAEBaV2jzweXCjdgFCiiyEsIlrkZiws/s1600-h/IMG_0142.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt4VoHkM4DOmnOxJmtCF-8lA3M2f4GjdIkQT6DxLOONRXnC3nSme8XXUgBtl7x7hllHrm7zBlF_Xbpbow1jaYaUXFh3AGaXWK77eslJ5gdZJ4hAEBaV2jzweXCjdgFCiiyEsIlrkZiws/s320/IMG_0142.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384973331994115170" /></a><br /><br />Drying the hops increases their storage capacity, vaccum packed so that the characteristcs which make Humulus Lupulus prized to such a degree by brewers are preserved, so that they may be used the whole year round. Drying however is not nesescary for the hops to be used in a brew and we were able to obtain a quantity immediately after picking and before kilning -5kilos of the first Goldings of 2009. The hops were brought back to Cumbria and pitched to a very special brew within 24 hours of picking...keep your eye out in the Bitter End this week for G.H.B. (Green-hopped Beer) at 4% ABV -A very special beer available for a limited period of each year only.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x-xcZWKuHxz1JOptqTl5iX91FIKO44_0uXTolohwwqCK1eD3WErdC_IEQGlblrdL0_qZ-hHHyyajfQ_oF0yby124b7FWWjIEfJlYCCtLuvgtkSmEHi-EcTtl8KYwIVEhxX6uBUzHv9E/s1600-h/cones+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x-xcZWKuHxz1JOptqTl5iX91FIKO44_0uXTolohwwqCK1eD3WErdC_IEQGlblrdL0_qZ-hHHyyajfQ_oF0yby124b7FWWjIEfJlYCCtLuvgtkSmEHi-EcTtl8KYwIVEhxX6uBUzHv9E/s400/cones+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384973795691051346" /></a>steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-35045169305859442802009-07-23T08:34:00.005+01:002009-07-23T09:15:10.877+01:00'Special brew' and bottled beerFirstly, may I say how good it is to be in touch and with excellent news after some period of time. The brewery has been operating at full steam for the better part of the last three months -mash tun full of the finest English malted barley Thomas Fawcetts can supply, copper boiling all steam and hops, fermenters fermenting, casks rolling. So now it is that I am able to grab a moment to let you know what has been going on.<br /><br />Brewing through the heatwave last month was fun, and visitors to the pub will have sampled the thirst quenchingly pale 'Grasp the Nettle' all though June -a seasonal special back by popular demand after it was so well recieved last year. Also a brand new beer, Bitter End Wheat Beer has been available, and so good was the response from customers at the pub that we immediately brewed a second gyle of it. Here's a snap of the whole-flower hops in the hop back before running into the FV last week:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMRM_zdJ1s58MhkTDX5KNppsO60iOvXzi0Gk31W9_3dwW3h5AEruZs8Pr76Q1eXpQK2vP0ZCI048WPt8O3m8tI0WwKVf5tOinaeaIME7gYbBmTM45UUk_oljjUBfgp2F3jovA5cGr1wE/s1600-h/hopback1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMRM_zdJ1s58MhkTDX5KNppsO60iOvXzi0Gk31W9_3dwW3h5AEruZs8Pr76Q1eXpQK2vP0ZCI048WPt8O3m8tI0WwKVf5tOinaeaIME7gYbBmTM45UUk_oljjUBfgp2F3jovA5cGr1wE/s320/hopback1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361566056324379394" /></a><br /><br />If you missed these beers however, do not dispair! After some months of pilot brewing I can present to you the first two bottled beers from our bottled beer portfolio -straight from the bottling line and 3 weeks conditioning, Lakeland Bitter and Lakeland Pale Ale ever popular at the Bitter End, and now also on your dinner table, infact anywhere you want for that matter....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjEHSb-62mem1kBZAcGWRLIfccoV6aPUFjtugEhzrrqlu3buzWmVfaocucYqjPJJ67QMTIzqeoPqAgD7heANN2aouC1DzT3lJvU9Mi4VH-G082ca7g6I-0495OpyM92TkuBxc19VZoh0/s1600-h/bottles.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjEHSb-62mem1kBZAcGWRLIfccoV6aPUFjtugEhzrrqlu3buzWmVfaocucYqjPJJ67QMTIzqeoPqAgD7heANN2aouC1DzT3lJvU9Mi4VH-G082ca7g6I-0495OpyM92TkuBxc19VZoh0/s320/bottles.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361565569261800450" /></a><br /><br /> ...and keep your eyes peeled for very special one-off beers available only in the bottle. Something certainly to look forward to -keep an eye out at your local co-op...plans are also afoot for an online beer shop via <a href="http://www.bitterend.co.uk">www.bitterend.co.uk</a> so fear not readers in the United States, but more on that later!steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-31048779807052465532009-05-01T12:39:00.011+01:002009-05-01T13:51:35.291+01:00Seasonal beer -Dark Mild 3.7%Mild ale is a style which has come to be associated with low ABV beers, however mild ales were simply less heavily hopped beers than their more bitter relatives, and as such became a hugely popular style in the 19th century as the workforce driving the industrial revolution took to the malty brews as a means of restoring themselves after a long day of manual labour at the coalface. Many milds in common with most beers of old were brewed to a far higher O.G. than those of today, and some milds of today still follow this recipe -I encourage the dear reader with a curious pallette to seek out the wonderful Dark Ruby Mild, ABV 6%, brewed by the Sarah Hughes Brewery of Sedgley, West Midlands.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaFYZ4Hd2_a9yTmYbnw-VhMkz6-s9CqoFFlzbrRrs5xaNVgmXQXVjkrqByXACxT4YFFql1n7LW_H31oJh1LlKxchVd476prSOt0POnDkfhF0bhiwydnO1Wpfr9IzZgurEIEAeXOdLczM/s1600-h/Mild.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaFYZ4Hd2_a9yTmYbnw-VhMkz6-s9CqoFFlzbrRrs5xaNVgmXQXVjkrqByXACxT4YFFql1n7LW_H31oJh1LlKxchVd476prSOt0POnDkfhF0bhiwydnO1Wpfr9IzZgurEIEAeXOdLczM/s320/Mild.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330828862356053746" /></a><br /> Our own interpretation is packed full of Maris Otter pale and crystal malts, with a little chocolate malt and roasted barley...a real dark mild full of flavour with the English hop, Challenger in the copper and a good dose of whole flower hops added late, in the hopback. A fine beer to restore oneself after a long day at the grindstone, or on the fells! Enjoy!steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-11637166400092592652009-02-24T15:25:00.007+00:002009-02-24T16:24:25.694+00:00February 2009It's a joy to feel the temperatures return from the polar depths of January...the brewhouse is not well insulated from the cold, and low night-time temperatures mean a close eye must be kept on temperature of the beers in the fermenters -in a couple of the coldest spells we had, they've had their own electric heater in the brewery to keep them cosy through the night!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theflowerexpert.com/media/images/aboutflowers/wildflowers/celandine/celandine-flower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 253px;" src="http://www.theflowerexpert.com/media/images/aboutflowers/wildflowers/celandine/celandine-flower.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />But it has been impossible to notice that this week has brought about milder weather -the birds are noisily going about their business below my window, and the snowdrop has been joined by the celandine beneath the hedgerow. And so brewing goes on apace -Lakeland Bitter in FV 3 has been chilled, to bring about precipitation of yeast from suspension, before racking to cask this week...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEpivVBKm7038gkEhalj-May3iAvbwpGrWtjgdBiZLbAMPxNofedvGJTEERUk4yyT28zAwpIdVzyHCygEOAzqlRc_N0OXIsgLib41w7EurbhvoA9Hpa4uMSw9VaFNK2IvGPhkBviQylY/s1600-h/IMG_1942.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEpivVBKm7038gkEhalj-May3iAvbwpGrWtjgdBiZLbAMPxNofedvGJTEERUk4yyT28zAwpIdVzyHCygEOAzqlRc_N0OXIsgLib41w7EurbhvoA9Hpa4uMSw9VaFNK2IvGPhkBviQylY/s200/IMG_1942.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306396153470768738" /></a><br /><br />...And a day of steam and bustle in the brewery today, sees FV 4 occupied by another gyle of the well hopped Best Gold, such is the demand for this beer by the ever-thirsty populace...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgUCwqCPWW5ZNsivGcEXHjHvGmOea1myGZ40Iz-l_qJ0lLpGBY0QIBTjlTw6fLbkjTu3yCOvchSpwSw_PnmayHJ2wBiYddO5tuEWuji0Tn5kBxTfLOj1ey-6TTqp_eqVn4Z3-HoFMAD0/s1600-h/IMG_1929.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgUCwqCPWW5ZNsivGcEXHjHvGmOea1myGZ40Iz-l_qJ0lLpGBY0QIBTjlTw6fLbkjTu3yCOvchSpwSw_PnmayHJ2wBiYddO5tuEWuji0Tn5kBxTfLOj1ey-6TTqp_eqVn4Z3-HoFMAD0/s200/IMG_1929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306399066441685314" /></a><br /><br />...I shall endevour to bring you more news of seasonl brews when there is such. In the meantime allow me to whet your appetite with the news that plans might just be afoot for a rather special blended beer, in the tradition of the porters of the 19th century...watch this space!steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-88919010522686157302008-12-04T09:13:00.002+00:002008-12-04T09:37:47.272+00:00The Bitter End proudly presents...We all know that it's hungry work being a passionate connoisseur of quality beers, and hard and thirsty work for those who are inflicted with a passion for discovering the best in quality locally produced, home-cooked food. Therefore it is with great pleasure that the Bitter End is able to help in some way, by the announcement of...Our first ever speciality <strong>PIE & PINT</strong> of ale festival, at the Bitter End. The <a href="http://www.cockermouthbeerfestival.co.uk">Cockermouth beer festival</a> next door in the Kirkgate Centre kicks off on Thursday, running through to Saturday, so pop in to the Bitter End on Thursday and Friday lunchtime, or all day on Saturday before 6pm for some very special pies and micro-brewed beer. <br />I have managed to persuade our amazing chef to create a selection of speciality pies showcasing the best of his locally sourced, quality ingredients and combine it with the best of local micro-brewed beer. A selection of Bitter End Brewery beers will be on tap including the welcome return of <em>seasonal beer</em> for Dec-Jan, Espresso Stout, 5.8% ABV. Drop in and try your hand at beer and matching beer and food. See you there,<br />stevesteveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-68413124883567345052008-10-05T12:36:00.003+01:002008-11-19T19:49:07.144+00:00Beer festivalsLadies and gentlemen. Allow me if i may be so forward, to draw your attention to a number of imminent beer festivals where you should go, immediately, and quaff amongst many other fine ales, three fine brews from the Bitter End...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.camrawestmorland.org/festivals.html">15th Westmorland CAMRA Beer Festival</a> -Kendal, 8-11 Oct (Wed-Sat)<strong>...Lakeland Bitter 3.8%</strong><br /><a href="http://www.ayrshirebeerfestival.co.uk/">9th Ayrshire & Galloway CAMRA Beer Festival</a> -Troon, 9-11 Oct (Thu-Sat)<strong>...Lakeland Best Gold 4.3%</strong><br /><a href="http://www.westcumbriacamra.org.uk/">West Cumbria CAMRA Beer Festival</a> -Whitehaven, 21-22 Nov (Fri-Sat)<strong>...Bitter End Barley Wine 6.2%</strong><br />Cockermouth Round Table Beer Festival, 4-6 Dec (Thu-Sat)<strong>...Espresso Stout 5.8%</strong><br /><br /><br />...i might particularly draw your attention to the beer for the West Cumbria CAMRA Beer Festival -a special beer to look forward too -It will have 10 weeks in the cask to condition before quaffing -expect a most suitable beer for the season, with some wonderful hop flavour from generous dry hopping. See thee all in Whitehaven, <br />stevesteveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-70617637833418974542008-09-16T09:16:00.006+01:002008-09-16T09:40:19.910+01:00the hop harvest, 2008I was fortunate enough lately, to have made a visit to Herefordshire -i could not resist stopping to visit a hop field, and assess the state of the crop. Hear, dear reader is the result. The bines were laden with their resinous cones, but some dry weather would help to make the ground a little easier for the tractors to move over. Marvel at the wonders of digital technology:<br /><br />A handsome cone laden bine...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_iEFKuJuM9Oa8I433-wmfhhz2UpuXYoz-7jLxzkgPoZPVeM0IO_1un9ONNBrWWbd9peZiEuVaTozUe9W2f6pHNHkrUBPICae0qPEQy3_UGVE7t_UY-HsU6rQpux9RXaJlOLkW0u_1FQ/s1600-h/cones+(2).JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_iEFKuJuM9Oa8I433-wmfhhz2UpuXYoz-7jLxzkgPoZPVeM0IO_1un9ONNBrWWbd9peZiEuVaTozUe9W2f6pHNHkrUBPICae0qPEQy3_UGVE7t_UY-HsU6rQpux9RXaJlOLkW0u_1FQ/s320/cones+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246531308289715730" /></a><br /><br />The height of the bines in this field suggests one of the dwarf 'hedgerow' varieties such as First Gold -Only attaining perhaps half the height of taller growing varieties, thus enabling easier maintainance of the crop, and use of a more efficient picking process...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7athyphenhyphenBDncPVzjE9AKW2MHpp5qFukX8Olkpx2aoWSiMPxEDxIqwTeQ-zTZf5-7xY51N7XKn1oVs7W25QZzoP0XBXRJacl7a6XEOsMp3RvVCbxRK20n_0QNMaStJFSO6YsQ71jKwi0COU/s1600-h/cone+laden+bine+in+row.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7athyphenhyphenBDncPVzjE9AKW2MHpp5qFukX8Olkpx2aoWSiMPxEDxIqwTeQ-zTZf5-7xY51N7XKn1oVs7W25QZzoP0XBXRJacl7a6XEOsMp3RvVCbxRK20n_0QNMaStJFSO6YsQ71jKwi0COU/s320/cone+laden+bine+in+row.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246531320811244306" /></a>steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-48020587723809511672008-08-26T08:28:00.000+01:002008-08-26T08:29:46.776+01:00Seasonal beer, August-September -Three Hares –ABV 3.6%It was sad to see the passing of July and with it another year’s gyle of our seasonal brew, Wild Honey which had proved so popular, but do not despair and instead, look forward to August, and to September and console yourselves with the brewing and in the drinking of an old favourite of ours -Three Hares, a deliciously hoppy, 3.6% beer, dry hopped in the cask with a generous quantity of the flower of that most wonderful Humulus lupulus and thus yielding a fine hoppy nose. When Mike first brewed to this fine recipe, he decided upon a name inspired by a small a scene depicted in the stained glass of All Saints Church whose grand steeple reaches high above the Kirkgate rooftops across the street from the Bitter End -that of three white hares.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-73179053404292403252008-08-26T08:14:00.000+01:002008-08-26T08:15:32.582+01:00A stiring in the hop gardens...August bank holiday weekend, a chance to catch up with jobs on the allotment, perhaps welcome visiting relatives and gather with friends for a barbecue in the evening sunshine, the late summer air scented with the ripening of the season. Or, if you farm in one of the hop growing counties of England, in Kent perhaps, or close to the Welsh borders in Herefordshire or the Teme Valley of Worcestershire, then maybe a time to be busy -firing the hop kilns, housing pickers, and making ready for the culmination of a year’s hard work and patience, watching the hop bines with one eye on the weather, and that first morning rising with the dawn and with the mists, to bring in the bines from their ordered rows in the fields, laden with their fresh, green, resinous hop cones. To bring them into the bustle and disorder of the yard, to be picked and dried, weighed and packed in their enormous pockets ready to be shipped to the merchant, or straight off to the breweries, as apprehension and excitement of what this year’s harvest will bring, perceptibly fills the air –a bumper crop perhaps, not too much wilt affecting the Fuggles in the top field, or a repeat of the downy mildew that ruined so much of the crop five years ago...Well faithful reader, word has reached the Bitter End from our hop merchants that things are stirring in the first few hop gardens of Kent. Early indications are not for a bumper crop, with Challenger and Fuggles being somewhat weather affected, but with fingers crossed a better crop than last year which saw stocks of some varieties in limited supply. It will be a few weeks before the high-alpha varieties are harvested, and the crop safely in, but next time you sip a pint of hoppy ale, give a thought to the humble Humulus lupulus and the year upon year of bustle and life which has been brought by its harvest, to the hop gardens of England every August bank holiday.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-5766493499852269042008-07-17T10:07:00.000+01:002008-07-17T10:38:29.261+01:00July Seasonal Beer -Wild Honey A.B.V. 5.5%The last time we brewed the wonderful Wild Honey it proved so popular, it is now added to the permenant range of Bitter End seasonals, July -Wild Honey A.B.V. 5.5% -A celebration of the hard work of the populace of English bees, the beekeepers art, and hoppy pale ale.<br /><br />The beer was brewed with Cumbrian honey. Allow me to suggest you obtain a jar for your own larder. If you wish to do so I point you in the direction of the Granary on Main St. and I point budding beekepers, or anyone with an interest in apiculture to the informative website of the Cumbria Beekeepers Association at <a href="http://www.cumbriabeekeepers.co.uk/">www.cumbriabeekeepers.co.uk</a> <br /><br />It's after pulling glass after glass of beers like this I become convinced that the thirst of the populace of Cockermouth and its environs is wholly un-quenchable. And so, happy drinking to all who sip upon this year's Wild Honey in July, the smell of summer rainfall over freshly mown hay upon the air, and drone of the humble honey bee to the ear.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-40711782529722301352008-06-04T11:35:00.001+01:002008-11-19T19:42:55.403+00:00More beer stylesWe are very proud to announce that further to the consistent brewing of the three Bitter End regular beers...after careful reflection and much deliberation, a <em>program of seasonal beers</em> is to commence.<br /><br />The range reflects traditional English beer styles, while those of you with a keen eye, and love for beer festivals will still see one-off and festival brews that exhibit innovation in technique, and sometimes ingredient.<br /><br />The range of seasonals...Espresso Stout (ABV 5.8% Dec-Jan) Cuddy Lugs (ABV 4.3% Feb-Mar) Dark Mild (ABV 3.6% Apr-May) Grasp the Nettle (ABV 4% June) Wild Honey (ABV 5.5% July) Three Hares (ABV 3.6% Aug-Sep) Bitter End Barley Wine (ABV 6.2% Oct-Nov)steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-8839951350954827042008-06-02T09:31:00.000+01:002008-06-02T09:40:47.058+01:00Bees, beekepers, and brewer uniteA celebration of the hard work of the populace of English bees, the beekeepers art, and hoppy pale ale...<strong>Wild Summer Honey</strong>, with a touch of dark crystal malt for a copper hue, and First Gold hops for a fresh bitterness, is now on stillage in the Bitter End's cellar -come and have a taste, or try a glass at the <a href="http://www.keswickbeerfestival.co.uk/"><strong>Keswick Beer Festival</strong></a>.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-57962868967860805452008-05-15T13:59:00.000+01:002008-05-15T14:09:53.361+01:00Dark Mild in the month of MayDark Mild was brewed recently to celebrate CAMRA's campaign for Mild in May. And what a pleasure to brew, and drink it. I couldn't resist throwing in a generous quantity of Chocolate malt alongside Maris Otter Pale, Dark Crystal and Roast Barley. And maybe a little heavily hopped for the purists, despite good body and sweetness, but i like my hops so there you go...It went down very well at the CAMRA AGM in the Green Dragon, Workington, and has proved equally popular at the Bitter End -down to the last firkin in the cellar...so get it while you can.<br /><br />Suggestions for brews of other much maligned beer styles gratefully accepted, and you never know what might be the next special.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-75607296698088406322008-05-15T13:33:00.001+01:002009-05-01T13:53:20.448+01:00Beer festivalsHave just got off the phone to <strong><a href="http://www.keswickbeerfestival.co.uk/">Keswick Beer Festival</a> </strong>where you can expect to see four beers, and taste them all, seated amongst the splendid surroundings of Skiddaw and the NW fells...Catch me if you can track me down, and praise the brewers hand -i'll most likely be near the Pale Ales and IPAs...and Steve did look and sip upon his creations, and lo he was happy.<br /><br />Other festivals to find us at in the comming months...<br /><br />May 29th-1st -Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale<br />June 5th-8th -<a href="http://www.bootbeer.co.uk/"><strong>Boot Beer Festival</strong></a>, Eskdale<br />June 6th-8th -Foxfield Brewers' Weekend<br />Nov 19th-22nd -W. Cumbria CAMRA Beer Festival, WhitehavensteveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-16029313830620988012008-05-15T12:52:00.001+01:002008-06-03T16:43:15.271+01:00Regulars -Lakeland Best Gold 4.3%This is probably the beer which wins the most fans at the first sip, on tasting at the Bitter End...Not the beer for avowed haters of the hop, Lakeland Best Gold is a proud showcase of the wonders of Humus lupulus or the humble hop.<br /><br />A native of Great Britain, wild varieties of the green bines loaded with their resinous cones can be seen growing, tangled in the hedgerows of Kent and Herefordshire -a reminder that the county's once boasted large acreages under hop cultivation.<br /><br />The hop used in during the copper boil for Best Gold is the English variety, Challenger supplied by hop merchant Charles Faram of Worcestershire, who also supply Cascade from the USA mostly grown in the Pacific NW states. <div></div><div></div>A clean refreshing golden ale, the powerful hop aroma, and bitterness of palette would see it stand well on the dining table with strong tasting dishes or, my own personal idyllic afternoon, with a good ploughmans under an August sky...Best Gold still retains a good level of body and malt character though from the use of crystal malts, and my favourite tagline of "Perfect after a long day on the fells" couldnt be more apt.steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-92226244333043766272008-05-15T12:26:00.000+01:002008-06-03T16:43:58.192+01:00Regulars -Lakeland Pale Ale 4%<div>The infant of the Bitter End family. Concieved by Mike and Steve when the new head brewer started in December 2007, Pale Ale was a reaction to the popularity of such pale hoppy beers being imbibed in every corner of England with a good brewery to its name, and kind pub for such imbibing. </div><br /><div>Brewed with three varieties of hop, low colour pale malted barley and a touch of crystal malt for charcter, pale ale is a cracking summer beer...Steve's generous use of the German lager hop, Hallertau Northern Brewer -originally a seedling bred from the English variety, Northdown developed by the department of hop reaseacrch at Wye College in Kent in 1970, lends in my opinion, the beer a delicate floral aroma alongside the more assetive resins of the Cascade hop.</div>steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-32700252005307260432008-05-15T12:05:00.000+01:002008-06-03T16:44:11.430+01:00Regulars -Lakeland Bitter 3.8%<div><div>An old favourite of many, Bitter was crafted years ago, when the Bitter End was in it's infancy. </div><br /><div>Mike worked with long time stalwart of brewing and breweries, David Smith now of the York Brewery, to create a beer which would slake the raging thirst which was gripping the town of Cockermouth. Bitter was born, known to many as Cockermouth Pride for some years, the recipie has remained essentially unchanged, maybe gaining a little malt characher, or becomming a little more hoppy as each years crop of Barley, and years hop harvest yield their fruits.<br /></div><div>Long may it provide refreshment for the tired and thirsty, a toast to David and Mike!</div></div>steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2113359733628714600.post-53030785908105011182008-05-15T11:30:00.000+01:002008-05-15T12:03:04.278+01:00Hello folks, welcome to our humble siteHere it is...sirs, ladies...the Bitter End brewery is now online for one and all...raise a glass!steveBrewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13567972678893268356noreply@blogger.com0