Steve Brine dropped into Alresford on Friday 15th June to mark National Beer Day with the team at Itchen Valley Brewery.
The enterprise has been going since 1997, and in that 21 years they have produced 69 beers and seen brewery numbers quadruple.
Using locally sourced ingredients where possible, Itchen Valley Brewery is proud to celebrate the heritage of its surrounding area and can be found on taps in pubs across Hampshire.
Over the past two decades, Itchen Valley has showcased Hampshire's unique history and location, with beers such as the seasonal Father Christmas (a 5% ABV malty winter beer with hints of dried fruit) brewed to mark the arrival of Alresford's Christmas Tree, 1644 Battle of Cheriton (a 4.4% ABV bright golden bitter) commemorating the civil war battle of the same name, Belgarum (a 3.9% ABV amber bitter) in honour of the Roman name for the city of Winchester, and Wykeham's glory (a 4.3% Dark Mild), to celebrate the achievement of the founder of Winchester College.
The Royal Green Jackets has been continually brewed to commemorate the founding of the Hampshire regiment of the same name, now called the Rifles. This 4.5% ABV clean tasting, deep brown malty bitter is enjoyed on cask at the Green Jacket's barracks in Winchester and as an annual brew available to the public in bottles from each March.
The popular and unique seasonal ale, Watercress Best, is brewed to mark Alresford's watercress festival in May. This 4.2% ABV easy to drink bitter is brewed using local watercress to give a gentle peppery bitterness to its light and delicate taste.
Steve Brine said: "I really enjoyed my time at the brewery, which was fascinating. It is clearly extremely hard work, both in the selling and distribution, but also physically on the site itself.
"I know that the competition is fierce but the demand for local ales in pubs and restaurants is on the up. I saw them at Winchestival the next day as well, as they had the contract for that lovely event."
Pictured; Steve Brine in the mix, and with Richard Robinson, the Owner and Head Brewer
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