Butcombe Reaches New Heights!

Congratulations to Leah Senington, a former employee of Butcombe, who made it to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, taking her Butcombe Brewery beer towel all the way!

Updated:04/02/2012
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The Official Launch Night
Adam Henson's Rare Breed

CALCOT MANOR

The Official Trade Launch for Adam Henson's Rare Breed ( a new permanent beer from Butcombe Brewery ) took place at one of the world's greatest hotels, Calcot Manor, nr. Tetbury, Gloucestershire on Wednesday 4th January 2012.

120 Licencees attended and were treated to talks from Butcombe Brewery M.D. Guy Newell, and the man himself Adam Henson ( Adam is a Gloucestershire farmer, owner of the Cotswoldfarmpark tourist attraction, and a presenter on BBC 1's Countryfile ).

The guests were treated to a superb buffet lunch washed down with copious amounts of Rare Breed best bitter!
Butcombe is extending it's northern delivery area ( from Gloucester to Ross on Wye, to Hereford, to Worcester, to Chipping Norton, to Burford ), to cope with the expected demand for this classic new beer.

A new salesman, Ollie Fleming, has been recruited to assist Area sales Manager, Steve "Rare Breed" Phillips.
Licencees interested in stocking Adam Henson's Rare Breed should in the first instance ring the Brewery office on 01934 863963, and speak to Becky or Kirsty.

COLSTON YARD

Central Bristol's premier beer venue ( owned of course by Butcombe Brewery! ) played host to the evening launch of Butcombe's new permanent beer, Adam Henson's Rare Breed.

Several hundred enthusiasts, encompassing pub licencees, Camra members, and a lucky few just passing! enjoyed delicious Henson's Hot Dogs washed down with a steady flow of Rare Breed.

Adam Henson's Rare Breed will be appearing on draught in discerning Free Houses, Wetherspoons , and Butcombe owned pubs, from the beginning of January….if you would like to see it where you drink, then speak to the landlord!

Updated:12/01/2012
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Butcombe Launches Dedicated
Bottled Beer Website

Butcombe, the West Country's fastest growing Brewery, has more than doubled its volume of bottled beer sales over the past twelve months. Recognising the importance and potential for growth in this key sector of the business, the Brewery has launched a dedicated bottled beer website. The new site provides much more than product and availability details. Browsers can view independent reports, guides and trends on the bottled ale business as a whole. Butcombe is also launching a new initiative via the website, to encourage independent retailers to sell more bottled ales with its 'Recommended Retailer Award'.

The scheme will support and reward the best retailers and aims to encourage best practise. The new initiative is supported by Booker Wholesale - Butcombe's exclusive wholesale partner. Interested retailers can obtain an entry form by visiting the website: http://www.butcombebottles.com

Those that receive accreditation will receive a number of benefits; promotion on the Butcombe bottled ale website, exclusive promotional deals via Booker Wholesale, a potential year end Butcombe brewery visit for staff, a prize presentation as well as a 'Butcombe Recommended Retailer' plaque to be displayed in the outlet.

The criteria includes the retailer offering a dedicated range of bottled ales with a minimum of ten different choices, a minimum of five local or regional products and to permanently stock at least two Butcombe ales.

Guy Newell, managing director of Butcombe Brewery explains: "The off-trade sector has grown phenomenally for us over the past year and launching a dedicated site pays tribute to that growth. Whilst we hope to sell more of our own ales through this new initiative, it also supports the bottled ale category as a whole, as we are encouraging retailers to stock a wider range".

Updated:07/12/2011
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Adam Henson and Butcombe Brewery Launch Their 'Rare Breed' at Tesco

Butcombe, the West Country’s fastest growing Brewery, has more than doubled its volume of bottled beer sales over the past twelve months.   The Brewery’s latest initiative has seen them join forces with famous television presenter and partner of The Cotswold Farm Park, Adam Henson.  Together, they have used the finest local ingredients: Maris Otter malting barley, aromatic Herefordshire hops and Mendip spring water, to create this distinctive refreshing and clean tasting golden ale – Adam Henson’s Rare Breed.

Adam Henson’s Rare Breed will be launching in bottle within the fifty largest Tesco stores in the South West as well as within all Booker’s 150 England and Wales Depots from mid-November 2011.  It will be available on draught from the 1st January 2012  through Butcombe’s own retail estate and the local Free Trade. Heineken will be promoting Adam Henson’s Rare Breed nationally throughout the month of February.

Chris Minter, Local Marketing Manager - South, Tesco says; “We are delighted to be able to offer another Butcombe product in the form of Adam Henson’s Rare Breed ale, it’s great to be working with such an enthusiastic team and with Adam’s pedigree we have very high hopes for the success of this launch.”

Guy Newell, Managing Director, Butcombe Brewery says; “Having Adam’s name on the beer will appeal to the millions of people who watch him regularly on the television and his endorsement is likely to introduce many new consumers not only to Rare Breed but also the rest of the Butcombe range.”

Updated:23/11/2011
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A 'RARE BREED' BREWED BETWEEN TELEVISION'S BEST LOVED FARMER
Adam Henson & Butcombe Brewery

Adam Henson's farm in the Cotswolds pioneers rare breed conservation and his expertise makes him a regular fixture on our television screens. He has recently been breeding a 'rare brew' of his own and has joined forces with the West Country's fastest growing Brewery – Butcombe. Together, they have used the finest local ingredients: Maris Otter malting barley, aromatic Herefordshire hops and Mendip spring water, to create this distinctive refreshing and clean tasting golden ale – Adam Henson's Rare Breed.

Adam Henson says: "I have a passion for farming as Butcombe has for brewing and I have wanted to produce a beer sourcing local ingredients for a long time. As soon as we spoke with Butcombe I knew we had found the right partner. I'm delighted with the results".

To sample the delicious new Adam Henson's Rare Breed beer just visit your local Wetherspoon's during the popular October 2011 real-ale festival or buy it in bottle from all good local independent retailers from the middle of October.

Updated:10/10/2011
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Drinking Buddies Bike Challenge
The Big Bike Ride 2011

On saturday 17th September a team of 4 friends will be cycling the length of the country, just over 1000 miles in 10 days to raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, The British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support and Treetops Hospice. James Gundry, Lee Wellington and Matt Davey came up with this idea after perhaps one too many pints of Butcombe Bitter. But idle bar chat soon became a reality and the plan was afoot to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats. The 3 men will be joined by adventurer Squash Falconer (www.squashfalconer.com) and they will all be sporting custom designed cycling tops donated by the brewery. We wish them all the very best.

**UPDATE**

The Team did it! 1020 miles in under 10 days. It must have been the Butcombe! Thank you to everyone who supported the ride and to help raise approximately £5000 for the chosen charities.

Updated:10/10/2011
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A Real Taste of the Country

Updated:14/09/2011
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Butcome Brewery
Here and Now 2011/2012

Read the new Butcombe Here and Now 2011/2012 magazine here. The Magazine is free to download, print or view. Hope you enjoy it. »View Here and Now Magazine

Updated:16/08/2011
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Bronze medal for
Butcombe Gold in International Beer Challenge 2011

A host of beer aficionados, drinks journalists and other category experts judged this year's International Beer Challenge, organised by Off Licence News. A total of 25 gold medals, 64 silvers and 127 bronzes were awarded to a diverse array of beers from around the world. Butcombe was delighted to be judged as one of the winners, with Butcombe Gold receiving a bronze medal. Tim Hampson, chairman of the British Guild of Beer Writers, praised the diversity of beers he judged on the day. He said: "Overall, I thought the standard of entries was very high, reflecting the huge variety of beers which consumers can choose between."

Butcombe Gold is available in a number of outlets across the West Country including Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose stores as well as independent retailers and the Brewery Shop. It is also stocked by Booker Wholesale

Updated:03/08/2011
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Photos from
Bath and West 2011...

Click the images below to enlarge.

Updated:15/06/2011
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Booker Wholesale
Take Butcombe Range...

Food and drink wholesaler Booker, has signed up three Butcombe beers plus Ashton Press Cider, (also owned by Butcombe Brewery), and will make them available to its customers within a sixty mile radius of the West Country's favourite Brewery.

Roger Needham, Booker Wholesale Category Manager Beers & Cider said: "Booker wants to support smaller local breweries and Butcombe is a perfect example and produces fantastic beers. Butcombe is very well known throughout the West Country and we are delighted that many more independent retailers will now be able to buy their beers directly from us."

Guy Newell, managing director, Butcombe Brewery, says: "our award winning bitters are currently enjoyed on draught in over 1,000 pubs and clubs within a 50 mile radius of Bristol. This deal with Booker will enable independent retailers to also offer their customers Bristol's favourite beers in bottle."

Butcombe Bitter, Butcombe Gold, Butcombe Brunel IPA and Ashton Press Cider are now available to Booker's independent clients from ten different depots including; Avonmouth, Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, Taunton, Trowbridge, Western Super Mare and Yeovil.

Updated:18/05/2011
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SAINSBURY'S SWEET
ON BUTCOMBE BITTER...

Bristol's fastest growing Brewery, Butcombe, has been listed by Sainsbury's which is stocking its flagship ale – Butcombe Bitter – in 85 stores nationally. The product retails at approximately £1.80 per 500ml bottle.

Oliver Chadwyck-Healey, beer buyer at Sainsbury's, says: "It is really important to offer customers something different in this category – whilst you need the bigger brands you also need variation to keep customers interested and trying new things. Butcombe has a great following from an on-trade point of view and we already have their Butcombe Gold as a regional listing, so it made sense to expand to a national listing with their flagship ale. I was impressed by Butcombe Bitter's clean finish and bitterness as well as by its packaging - a hugely important part of deciding what we put on our shelves.

"We pride ourselves on our range of fantastic tasting beers – giving our customers a reason to keep coming back to us. This new addition contributes to maintaining that reputation."

Butcombe Bitter is an award-winning ale and is currently enjoyed on draught in over 1,000 pubs and clubs within a 50 mile radius of Bristol. It is brewed using pure Mendip Spring Water and is refreshingly dry and distinctive, using 100% best Maris Otter malt together with a blend of English hops.

Guy Newell, Butcombe Brewery's boss, says: "We are delighted that Sainsbury's is now offering Butcombe Bitter in bottle, helping us establish Bristol's best-selling beer in the pub as a national brand in such a high profile major multiple."

Updated:10/05/2011
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Butcombe Head Brewer Q & A...

This month the beer business caught up with Clive Ham, head brewer at the Butcombe Brewery.

Age? 58, going on 28.

Birthplace? Mary Stanley Nursing Home, Bridgwater, Somerset. Alas, no plaque on the wall.

How did you become a brewer? Avid home brewer followed by a “give us a job” visit to Butcombe Brewery in 1979.

When did you have first your beer epiphany? I have many. Always one hour after mashing, tasting the first-run worts.

Who has been your brewing inspiration? Now retired ex-colleague Lester Bush, mad as a box of frogs. Also, Simon Whitmore, founder of Butcombe.

What was the first beer you brewed and what was it like? Home brewed bitter, using kitchen oven malted barley. It was lovely!

What would you be doing if you weren’t a brewer? Sweeping roads. I hate litter.

If you could have a beer from another brewer, what would it be? Coniston Bluebird, totally different to ours.

What’s your top hop? Styrians. Very versatile.

How would you describe Butcombe Beers in three words? Iconic. Moreish. Addictive.

Favourite Butcombe beer? Butcombe Bitter.

Favourite pub that serves Butcombe? Swan at Rowberrow. Good food and well-kept beers.

What’s the secret to good brewing? Keeping a close eye on raw materials and being proactive.

What is British brewing doing right? Producing excellent varied beers, although not always turned over quickly enough in pubs.

Favourite beer and food match? Jalfrezi and bottled Butcombe Blond.

Which country is making the best beer in the world at the moment? I prefer British Beers.

Advice for any home-brewers out there? Use a decent yeast, to give a good flavour.

How much money have you got on you? I have short arms and long pockets so I don’t know.

What’s the hardest style of beer that you brew? The more challenging the better.

Who would win in a fight between a chimp and two swans? The swans if it was tea time …

What’s your idea of happiness? A walk up the Old Man of Coniston, followed by a pint of Bluebird in the Sun Inn at Coniston.

Who would play you in a film of your life? David Essex in my long haired 20s!

Minstrels or Revels? What are they?

Whisky or Gin? Gin. Frequently ill on whiskey in my 20`s… better not tell my boss who recently gave me a bottle of malt whisky.

What was the last CD you bought? Patsy Cline`s Greatest Hits. Funny how none of my CD`s were taken when I was burgled.

What was the last decent film you watched? Hot Fuzz on TV. Filmed locally. Appealed to my sense of humour.

Can you tell us a joke? Keep it clean, mind. Top Tip … Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night ….

If you could have a beer with anyone from history who would it be and which beer would you choose? Isambard Kingdom Brunel – possibly drinking Butcombe Brunel IPA.

Ben McFarland, 31.03.2011

Updated:03/5/2011
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Butcombe Strengthens Estate...
with the acquisition of 3 prestigious pubs

Butcombe Brewery has purchased Triple Rock Ltd from Chris and Paul Clark and their families.  Two of the pubs are located in new areas for Butcombe, the busy centres of Bath and Cheltenham.  The third is also a welcome addition to the West Country’s favourite Brewery, in Frome, Somerset.  This now gives the Brewery a managed estate of twenty pubs in sought-after locations. 

The acquisitions include:  The Pig and Fiddle, Saracen Street, Bath, The Frog and Fiddle, High Street, Cheltenham and The Mill, Frome in Somerset.

Guy Newell, Butcombe Managing Director said:  “We have known Chris and Paul Clark for over twenty years, and are thrilled and privileged to continue the stewardship of these fabulous outlets. It continues the Butcombe strategy of seeking out and acquiring only the highest quality outlets and it moves us into the city centre of Bath and Cheltenham for the first time. The management teams at the 3 pubs will continue, and Chris and Paul will be staying with the business for 3 months to ensure a seamless handover”

Chris Clark, Triple Rock Ltd said: “We have worked with Guy for so long, originally selling him our beer and latterly selling Butcombe Ales and Ashton Ciders from the pubs, that when Butcombe approached us, it was a natural fit.  We know that our pubs are in very safe hands and it means that after the handover, I will be able to have the gap year I never had.”

Updated:01/04/2011
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Bristol's Newest Boutique Hotel
selects Butcombe Ale for its Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill

The South West’s premier four-star contemporary boutique hotel and spa – DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House – has selected Butcombe Brewery to supply its Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill with its popular Butcombe Blond Premium ale.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House hotel manager, Paul Evans said: “At the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill we are proud to say we support local produce, from vegetables to meat, and we serve Butcombe Blond Premium ale from the Butcombe Brewery.  

“The perfect accompaniment to a decent steak is a good ale, which is why it’s so important to get it right. Butcombe Ales are a favourite with our customers who like to have a real taste of the West Country, when enjoying our food.

“Butcombe is one of the best known and most popular breweries in the West and we find both tourists and locals alike enjoy a pint when they visit.”

Guy Newell, managing director, Butcombe Brewery, says: “Butcombe is proud to supply this prestigious venue with our award-winning ales.  The locals are already well aware of us, but what better way for tourists to sample Bristol’s favourite beer than in this stunning venue set within rolling English countryside”.

Updated:01/04/2011
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Butcombe Brewery Appoints Holland
as dedicated off-trade sales director...

Butcombe Brewery has appointed Martin Holland as its first ever off-trade sales director. The Bristol-based Brewery began bottling its flagship beer, Butcombe Bitter, at the end of 2010 and has been selling the West Country's favourite beer nationally through Morrisons since January.

Holland has been assigned to develop Butcombe's national accounts as well as oversee its wholesale and independent business. He is an experienced sales manager in the food and drinks industry and has previously worked with national brands such as Golden Wonder, Panda Pops, Badger Ales and Brecon Mineral Water.

Guy Newell, managing director, Butcombe Brewery says:
"Martin's excellent knowledge of the multiple retail, convenience and wholesale sectors will be a great asset to the team. Butcombe Bitter is a favourite in this region, we want to ensure that it now gets the national attention we believe it deserves".

Updated:22/02/2011
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300 Morrisons Stores
give sweet news to Butcombe Bitter...

Butcombe Brewery launched Butcombe Bitter, the West Country's favourite beer, nationally through multiple retailer Morrisons in January 2011.

“Morrisons prides itself on offering its customers a wide range of beers and we like to select brands from smaller British brewers like Butcombe.  Butcombe Bitter went into three-hundred stores across the country and sales are growing steadily.  For a relatively unknown brand outside the West Country, this is good news for Butcombe, especially in what is a very crowded sector," comments Matthew Cain, Beer and Cider Buyer, Morrisons.

Guy Newell, managing director, Butcombe Brewery, says: “We are currently brewing 25,000 barrels of Butcombe beers a year (over 7 million pints), and would expect bottled Butcombe Bitter to add a further 5,000 barrels over a 3 year period.  We are very pleased with the sales figures through Morrisons.  Butcombe Bitter is a favourite in the West Country, and this national profile, will help the brand attain the increased attention we believe it deserves.”

Butcombe Bitter is brewed using pure Mendip Spring Water and is refreshingly dry and distinctive, using 100% best Maris Otter malt together with a blend of English hop varieties.  The bottled version is available in an 8-pack 500ml bottle at 4.5% ABV. 

Updated: 17/02/2011
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Bottled Butcombe Beers
available at your local Supermarket

Bottled Butcombe Bitter, Butcombe Gold and Butcombe Brunel IPA are now available nationwide at Morrisions and also at your local ASDA.

See the list below for ADSA supermarkets stocking Butcombe.

Bedminster, Bristol
Bridgwater, Somerset
Frome, Somerset
Highbridge, Somerset
Longwell Green, Bristol
Patchway, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
Taunton, Somerset
Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Weston super mare, Somerset
Whitcurch, Bristol
Yeovil, Somerset

Updated: 10/01/2011
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Butcombe Brewery
doubles warehousing capability...

Butcombe Brewery has recently doubled its warehousing capability as well as increased yard and parking facilities.
Updated: 28/11/2010
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Respected Beer Writer
Adrian Tierney-Jones
finally gets Butcombe...

(Extract from blog)
I never used to get Butcombe Bitter. From my early days living in Somerset from 1994 onwards I never got it. It was ok was the best I could say. So what was the problem? I don't really know. It was brown, bitter in an old fashioned sense and malty in an equally arcane way, everything in balance; it was said to be ferociously hoppy (in the same way Holt's Bitter was), but all I did was sit there waiting for a leonine-like hoppy bite that never came......
»Read full article here.

Updated: 28/11/2010
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Chris Tarrant on the Yukon

Chris Tarrant fails to catch a fish in the Yukon...but comes up trumps with a Butcombe Bar Towel!
Updated: 29/11/2010
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