As I am toasting the new year with champagne, cheese and crackers (and once again kicking myself for not keeping some Out Of Step IPA) and thought it seemed like a great time to update the brewery blog.
2011 has been an interesting year, the new brewery plant being installed at Unit 6, Thomas Street in April really kick started Offbeat Brewery and allowed us to achieve better consistency and quality in the brews. Unfortunately a warm spell of weather left us with problems with a cold store that wasn't cold enough and finings that were going off. We persevered, had the engineers out a few times and finally got it working properly and that was that problem resolved.
2012 holds so much in store as we introduce our beers to new pubs and look to expand our customer base. The four regulars (Outlandish Pale, Kooky Gold, Odd Ball Red and Out Of Step IPA) will be made continuously in rotation supplemented by Way Out Wheat and some specials.
First up in these specials will be Stand Upright IPA. Without gushing too much I can't tell you how excited I am about this project to launch a beer alongside Dodgy's new album, "Stand Upright Keep Cool". I loved Dodgy mid 90s, so I'm glad they've put an awesome album together for 2012 and so excited to be making this limited edition Stand Upright IPA for them. With a big blast of Pacific Jade hops from New Zealand its going to be a pretty special beer.
We are hoping to be able to negotiate with the landlords for the brewery units so we can do tours and tastings onsite. We will keep you posted as we have had a number of enquiries from various CAMRA, Round Table and other social groups. We would love to show you round but now need the green light to do so. In a similar vein we also hope to get a premises license so we can at least do mail order sales if not off sales.
On the same note a huge thank you must be extended to Mike and Flick at Hops in Crewe who have been fantastically supportive of Offbeat Brewery since our inception. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to them for handling the off sales for mini casks and the bottles of Far Out Stout. They're great people with a fantastic bar keeping their ales in great condition, so be sure to pay them a visit when you're in Crewe.
I'm delighted by the success and recognition the Offbeat beers achieved in 2011...so unexpected and yet so great to get such positive feedback on them. Here's hoping this will continue, we always want to know what you think.
Huge thank yous go out to Clive who handles the sales operation for the brewery and to Paul, the best dressed delivery man, who drops the odd cask off for me on his travels and gets bombarded with Offbeat news and ideas. Stars both! I also need to thank the volunteers who help me in the brewery...it's a tough, physical job and I'm grateful for the help that has been so freely offered.
Better hope I never win an Oscar as would obviously blether forever!
Have a great 2012 and keep drinking fantastic beers!
Michelle xxx
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