Members of Wakefield CAMRA call at this magnificent Brewers Tudor edifice to try Ashover beers, excellent pub food and to see round the attached micro-brewery.
The brewhouse is located in what was the redundant garage of the cottage next to the pub.
We are welcomed by Roy Shorrock from the brewery.
Roy Shorrock
Roy relates how the 3.5 barrel brewing plant began work at a Firkin brewpub (possibly the Firecracker & Firkin in Crawley, Sussex) and was more recently beneath the Rat & Ratchet at Huddersfield.
The copper top of the kettle is an indication that it was formerly on show in a brewpub.
fermenters 3 and 2 with regular beers Butts Pale Ale and Light Rale. The Butts had not been in the fermenter for a year and 8 days!
The richly varnished cladding is another reminder that the kit was once on show in a brewpub.
Coffin Lane Stout in No.4 fermenter
Light Rale is sold as Castle Light in their other pub at Codnor.
This control system was not part of the original set-up. It and an agitator pump in the brewing vessel have made life a lot more predictable.
just a cask
Wakefield CAMRA Chairman Mark Goodair presents a commemorative certificate in a dark varnished frame to brewer Roy. This is a particularly special occasion because Mark is looking at the camera!
Ashover was a location in the ITV series Peak Practice a few years ago, and the Black Swan featured as the village pub.
The Black Swan also clearly meets with the approval of our members.
Third historic pub in the village is the Crispin Inn.
CAMRA member Rod Naylor not making a funny face outside the Crispin Inn.
Crispin Inn: history
