THE original and the best may be big claims, yet at Litchborough Artisan Brewery they believe the proud history of brewing in Litchborough speaks for itself.
Traditional brewer Bill Urquhart was the driving force behind the UK’s original micro-brewery he set up in 1974 and which would revolutionise the craft beer industry.
In the 1970s he worked at Phipps Brewery when a decision was taken by its owners, Watneys, to demolish the brewery to make way for the Carlsberg Plant. Bill ‘liberated’ brewery equipment and began brewing Northamptonshire Bitter in his home village of Litchborough.
Now, 45 years later, the brewing legacy lives on with Richard Bustin at the helm.
“The principle remains the same. We use traditional methods of crafting ales to create delicate blends but we also recognise there is a new generation of beer and ale drinkers looking for something different,” said Richard.
So, while the brewery values its traditional flavours, in The LAB a range of beers have been crafted to meet the tastes of the 21st Century.
Richard said: “We want our customers to enjoy original tasting beers and ales that will leave them wanting more.”
The LAB range, each triple hopped to bring out the very best flavour, includes the blonde beer ATOMIC, a golden beer called DNA, the amber INFINITY and a dark IPA called GALAXY.
“We have some really creative people working with the brewery who recognise the importance of not only celebrating our traditional roots but appealing to a new generation of beer and ale drinkers,” said Richard.
For the traditionalists there is still the popular Litchborough Artisan range of beers and ales which uses natural ingredients to create delicate blends. These include using Vienna and golden malts with maize to create MONROE blonde, the NUBRU golden which at its heart uses three varieties of British hops, the magnificent LIBERTY Amber ale and the BLACK BEAUTY dark IPA, with a subtle spiciness and citrus flavours.
The beers are available in local pubs or contact the brewery to order for delivery any cask beer.
To find out more about the brewery, based at Unit 12 Northampton Road, Towcester, visit www.litchboroughbrewery.co.uk or call 01327 831308.