CAMRA members visit city brewery
Lancaster Brewery has played host to 37 members of Lunesdale CAMRA and friends, including a contingent from Lancaster University’s Real Ale and Cider Society. It was a freezing cold night, but the warmth of the reception and the excellence of the ale banished the elements and guaranteed an evening to remember.
MC was the avuncular Matt Jackson, owner of the enterprise, who gave a guided tour that mixed brewery history, details of the brewing process, and entertaining anecdotes in a characteristically discursive blend. The assembled real ale enthusiasts followed him from room to room, only deviating when empty glasses needed re-filling.
On offer in the sample room were Lancaster Brewery’s four regular brews, the 3.7% abv session beer Amber; Blonde, a golden bitter with a strength of 4.1%; a 4.6% stout (Black); and the malty premium bitter, Red, at 4.9%. All were on fine form and available in quantities that satisfied the most earnest and dedicated tippler.
Members of the brewery staff were on hand to contribute to the presentation and answer questions about the beers, and the evening was rounded off with a plentiful supply of assorted cheeses and biscuits. Lunesdale CAMRA branch Chair, Anne Stewardson thanked Matt and the team for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
This memorable visit was a tribute to the pioneering spirit of our city’s trail blazing brewery and a testament to the continuing vitality and popularity of cask conditioned ale. It is little wonder that the brewery is growing fast, showing that even in times of economic gloom a quality product, if imaginatively marketed, can be successful.
Our thanks to the Lancaster Brewery team — Will Pammenter, Mark Westall, Matt and Sarah Jackson — for their expertise and wonderful hospitality.
Julian Holt Social Secretary Lunesdale CAMRA