Hopulist issue 5

As brewers chat and debate on the evening we attend,
they are also all trying out each other’s efforts for the
monthly brewing challenge and scoring the entries
on their phones via a QR code. Another nice touch is
the sharing table – a table set aside for people to bring
other brews they’ve created along to swap and share
with fellow members. Everyone we speak to thinks this
a great way to get better as feedback is always honest.
“The standard of brewing has gradually improved –
no matter what people’s starting point,” he explains.
“We have a few people who are naturally good at it,
of course. Simon is prolific and has brewed around
75 beers since the Club started. I also, along with two
other club members, managed to come second in
a national competition, having only been all-grain
brewing for around six months at the time. I think that
shows that this club is really helping people, as well as
having a great community feel.”
Brewing club’s like this one, with good organisation,
interesting themes and support of a brewer are showing
that brewing can be something everyone can try their
hand at without fear of things going wrong. More
of these types of clubs are springing up around the
country, and we can only see that continuing.
COVENTRY
| N F O
HOME BREW CLUB
Unit 11, FarGo Village
Coventry, CV1 5ED UK
www.twistedbarrelale.co.uk
Charles G|ll:
“I actually run a nearby beer
festival in Leamington Spa,
Warwickshire and I got
to know Frank from HBC
when he won the brewing
competition we have there
in 2017.
“My day job is a science
teacher and I was actually
asked by Frank to do a talk
about the science behind
brewing, which was really
fun. I’m not the best or most
regular brewer in the world,
but this club has been a great
learning experience for me.
The feedback you get from
everyone is very honest
– but it’s firm but fair.”
ABOUT TWISTED BARREL
“Twisted Barrel Ale exploded onto
the Coventry beer scene on 29th
March 2014. After months of hard
work developing a small selection of
beers that would appeal to Coventry’s
patrons thirsting for our unique mix of
modern and classical styles and methods
we launched our beers at Coventry’s
number 1 bottle bar, Inspire, and it was a
huge success.
“Originally brewing on a 60 litre kit,
we described ourselves as ‘the UK’s first
Pico-brewery’. At the time we were the
smallest commercial brewery in the UK,
although we are aware of many more
that have sprung up in the months since
our launch. With a brewing capacity of
approximately 120 bottles demand very
quickly caught up and our supply was
way too small.
“Fast-forward to 20th June 2015, and
we held another launch. This time in
our brand new Brewery and Tap House
at FarGo Village. With a new 1000 litre
brewing kit installed by Brewing Vessels
and an entirely new brand design from
Stewart Easton, we’ve finally become the
brewery we always set out to be.
“And now after almost 2 years, we
have grown again! Transferring our bar
and brewing kit into a space about 5
times larger than before, we’re still
serving the best beer at FarGo Village.
In addition to the larger space, which
can hold up to 300 people, we also
now have the largest selection of beers
in Coventry, with 23 beers on tap, and
between 15 and 25 bottled beers at any
one time.
“With our brewing kit we have
expanded our fermenting capacity adding
an additional 3000 litres. This, coupled
with the additional brewing space, has
enabled us to increase our cask output
and we have also started packaging in
cans for the national and international
market.
“We continue to review and revise our
core beers, and currently offer 5 regular
beers constantly throughout the year,
with a special edition one off beer each
and every month making it’s way into
can. Seasonal favourites continue, with
Wake Up Juice, Brobdingnagian and Dark
Night Rises, being brewed in Summer,
Autumn and Winter respectively.”