Wednesday 7 July 2010

Palmers Brewery maintain their wet credentials

In 2001 I went round Palmers and was amazed to see that they had a cask of their now defunct Bridport Bitter set up for the workers, a survival from a different age — a wet brewery no less, something that I originally wrote about here. Visiting the brewery the other day, I asked about it, recalling my first visit, and mused that it must be long gone. How wrong I was — there in a corner, was a barrel of the brewery’s Copper Ale (fruit chews nose — is that tangerine? — grainy, chewy mouthfeel, refreshing citrus notes, dry biscuity finish), something that the staff have a drop of when work is done and there’s fat to be chewed. People aren’t on the bevy all day long but it’s nice to see a brewery think about this and also trust their people (I remember hearing of one West Country brewery that was reputed to sack anyone who touched a drop during working hours). Nice one Palmers.

12 comments:

  1. When I first went round Palmers Brewery in the mid 70's, a cask was there then (looks like the same place, even the same stillage); but the gravity tap had a key, so it could only be consumed at certain times.
    I will say that I don't think this is as unusual as you make out - many brewers have beer on tap (for consumption in moderation) and / or a beer allowance

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  2. An old boss of mine worked for Marston's for 35 years and he said at one time a full time employee spent about half his time just sorting out the 'allowance ale' for the other workers. Two pints a day I think it was, though there was extra if you'd had to dig out the mash tun.

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  3. different type of buseness but we have a beer allowence, 1 pint after work Weds, Thurs , Sat, 2 pints Friday.

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  4. I've always got one on the go, usually a corny keg with something carbonated in it.

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  5. Guy — good to hear from you, are we talking micros or family brewers.
    Ed — wonder which beer it was, the weakest I bet.
    Kieran — is it good beer?
    Stu — do you get any work done ;--))

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  6. Hello Adrian, I think there is still a beer allowance at St Austell, Wadworths, Elgoods and Marstons (although I may be long out of date with the latter) and very likely others who I haven't had any direct connection with - beer allowance was / is often in bottles, using rejects with wonky labels etc. The craft brewing sector of the industry is rather more informal and any allowance is much more on an ad hoc basis.

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  7. Guy
    but how many still have a barrel in the corner like Palmers? Surely that’s the difference, I can imagine people been given allowance (and I was somewhere last year where they did that), but a barrel is a different kettle perhaps?

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  8. Adrian: absolutly I am the beer specialist for Regional Wines and Spirits probably the best beer store in NZ. We stock 11 craft beers on tap that punters fill into take away containers (as well as alot of bottling local and imported beer). As I type we have an Oyster Stout (made with real oysters), a peated Scotch Ale,a porter, an America style Pale Ale, a couple of IPA's, a kiwi Pale Ale, a Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, a new world bitter, and the classic of the New Zealand Pilsner style all availble on tap. these are the beers that staff get to drink. And not that it makes a difference apart from tone perhaps but these are all served in the lee of a giant mural of the late Michael Jackson toasting that is made of toast. Im never sure whether to be flattered or insulted that people always ask if its of me!

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  9. Kieran wow if I wasn’t too nellyish about flying for such a long time I would be planning my trip now, but who knows, sounds great, one of the things I learnt from 1001 was the amount of good beers you’ve got over there.

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  10. I've just noticed the gas line and spigot where the spile should be. Obviously the beer is not drained in a few days otherwise why bother with a CO2 breather? Any views on this much debated cellar accessory?

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  11. Dr Brew
    I am so not going there ;-))

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  12. If I had known our cask in the corner was going to be famous, I would at least have got the stillage cleaned up a bit! Its Copper Ale (3.7%) and I think the 'allowance' is 'two and a quarter pints a day' for some strange reason...not that I check! Long may the traditions of family brewers continue. Cheers
    Darren

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