Visit Date: February 2015
BREWERY NAME: The Chiltern Brewery
WEBSITE: http://www.chilternbrewery.co.uk
DATES: Friday - Saturday 14.00
COST: £13.50 per head
DURATION: 60 mins
CONTACT: info@chilternbrewery.co.uk or call (01296) 613647
Nestled between the villages of Terrick and Wendover The Chiltern Brewery is easy enough to find, as it is well signposted from Stoke Mandeville, Wendover and the A4010. On arrival, we appeared to be the first for the tour. Checking in at the small but extremely well stocked brewery shop, we were welcomed by a complimentary glass of the award winning Beechwood Bitter (4.3%), which is mid-amber in colour with a nutty, toffee taste, slightly fruity but a well rounded ale.
As everyone arrived we were asked to take a seat in the tasting room which is plastered with a fair array of awards, certificates and magazine articles pertaining to their history. Our guide for the afternoon proceeded to explain the origins and history of The Chiltern Brewery.
It was founded by Richard and Lesley Jenkinson in 1980, the brewery is the oldest independent brewery in the Chiltern Hills and Buckinghamshire and is now run by brothers George and Tom Jenkinson. It is housed on a working farm and their aim has always been to source and use the most natural, high quality ingredients available in Britain. It transpired that due to their close proximity to the railway line between London and Aylesbury they are able to easily distribute their beers right up to London.
After a quick visit across the yard to investigate the brew house we returned to discover our tables replenished with a few small pitchers of different ales and plenty of finger food.
The pairing of Chiltern Pale Ale (3.7%) with the locally produced cheese and chutney was an unexpected surprise. We then moved onto the excellent 300’s Old Ale which weights in at 5.0% vol. The selected beers really complimented the local produced food but the best was saved until the end. Bodgers Barley Wine at (8.5%) was simply nectar. The locally produced fruit cake wasn‘t bad either!
The visit concluded with a few questions raised by members of our party, and a final slurp of the barley wine which all in all, made it a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon.
The Chiltern Brewery is not that easy to get to on public transport - a nominated driver is advisable, but once you get there, the award winning beers are well worth the visit. .. not to mention the temptation of buying a few to take home and enjoy... Yummy yum.
If however, you can’t make the brewery then a visit to the brewery tap - The Farmers’ Bar at the historic Kings Head in Aylesbury is a great place to have lunch and sample some of The Chiltern Brewery’s finest! ... Cheers
