Blog Tracker
01-02-2022, 06:47
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/curious-brewery-taproom-restaurant.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1V_01R_OIhSwRYTIcOqdkObAXcSEPJAeSFAVlBRmDl TckoCF91hlKSPyqyHPpxduoZU0e4TyVsYUDnv5mCb-FIaRpPdj3mPHyflt1A4PowAlAzpNrHipb69LSO8rR-0V_3fCw--7OCW-D-txP1Vc5q6nVx1zDqHehTSG8W5sHDPAvJnAfu8PsZPc=w400-h215 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1V_01R_OIhSwRYTIcOqdkObAXcSEPJAeSFAVlBRmDl TckoCF91hlKSPyqyHPpxduoZU0e4TyVsYUDnv5mCb-FIaRpPdj3mPHyflt1A4PowAlAzpNrHipb69LSO8rR-0V_3fCw--7OCW-D-txP1Vc5q6nVx1zDqHehTSG8W5sHDPAvJnAfu8PsZPc=s3946)
It seems I’ve been pipped at the post in my rush to bring the story of my visit to Curious Brewing (https://curiousbrewery.com/brewery/) to readers of this blog. The person who beat me to it, with his own account of a visit to this impressive brewing set-up, is none other than master brewer and fellow beer blogger,Ed Wray. (http://edsbeer.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-visit-to-curious-brewery.html) Ed’s visit was a professional one, as a member of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, whilst mine was purely one of pleasure that came at the end of a visit to my old hometown of Ashford.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5RDAVqQGVfwiXGqND_XuRsnKi6uK60LFKQ8AffsYn9 lg0GEGAy0GCpA0pOqrmVQB2qGPWaSdbZpP2OSmemM-z7dbTSy-YCGn_8YBlfXlCT1v5WaLDAuLFTcf2Sedkfnfo8BIbV7cSwz7Hs WFcQ_De5f8M2aKHVtsOzgQ_pJtxGxzK8S3jmolE9d8=w400-h217 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5RDAVqQGVfwiXGqND_XuRsnKi6uK60LFKQ8AffsYn9 lg0GEGAy0GCpA0pOqrmVQB2qGPWaSdbZpP2OSmemM-z7dbTSy-YCGn_8YBlfXlCT1v5WaLDAuLFTcf2Sedkfnfo8BIbV7cSwz7Hs WFcQ_De5f8M2aKHVtsOzgQ_pJtxGxzK8S3jmolE9d8=s3774)
I wrote about that particular excursion last week but left no hint that the day ended with son Matthew and I calling in at Curious Brewing. However, as the company’s state-of-the-art brewery and hospitality centre, are just across the tracks from Ashford’s International station, it would have been rude for us not to have called in.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDKtyA8DK9gHCf7AT5iRtuViMq-MTuOURE7P8SFOm0oCk36Vy6hNjFlLLwKvLEjpdv_Z2jg_XW7TA fAgOaX_xdQGXHApiL-OVZy_k33AkwvZaX33GQ45Ua6R-dfEUt1ve6vp9IUAik1teZKKrKk8f3O_DEx8XO3jqU0rVWhGTOO DGqKvfaOKJe7EA=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDKtyA8DK9gHCf7AT5iRtuViMq-MTuOURE7P8SFOm0oCk36Vy6hNjFlLLwKvLEjpdv_Z2jg_XW7TA fAgOaX_xdQGXHApiL-OVZy_k33AkwvZaX33GQ45Ua6R-dfEUt1ve6vp9IUAik1teZKKrKk8f3O_DEx8XO3jqU0rVWhGTOO DGqKvfaOKJe7EA=s4000)
The Curious Brewery was established in 2011, as an off shoot of Tenterden-based,Chapel Down Winery (http://www.chapeldown.com/). At first, the beers were all contract-brewed), by Hepworth & Co (http://hepworthbrewery.co.uk/) in Horsham, but it was always Chapel Down’s intention to switch the production of these products to an “in-house” operation. To achieve this aim, a crowd-funding campaign was launched, which raised around £1.5 million.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjprEUQiD2Wfb737xm0J6zumdfztyaKMaLVWy6cHx4LKp DceEirrd6-BtE7kqZLxppHwWcHdxO6qiwIB2zoc3Xn_i1GY3Jovb7JwVsPvb jjGEnJbRkI5RADH_Oih7DtAWG71VQTlkYI1TA_v5rajLPLOsVM DnHEN6dPmvvsaZQamzYFuBMk6WPvSjot=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjprEUQiD2Wfb737xm0J6zumdfztyaKMaLVWy6cHx4LKp DceEirrd6-BtE7kqZLxppHwWcHdxO6qiwIB2zoc3Xn_i1GY3Jovb7JwVsPvb jjGEnJbRkI5RADH_Oih7DtAWG71VQTlkYI1TA_v5rajLPLOsVM DnHEN6dPmvvsaZQamzYFuBMk6WPvSjot=s4000)
After acquiring a 1.6-acre site, directly opposite Ashford International station, work began on the construction of a state-of-the-art brewing facility, which opened in May 2019. A total of £6 million was spent on the 50HL 5-vessel brew-house, complete with 19 fermentation tanks, giving a total capacity of 2,900hl.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX2ewfcd7NCO6mThe1j7gpZ6mnhTH3f1GMtJToHUfqLF aGGcJ5I8hVihVnLAXDeLvBPwRZP2lqzFvlns5ZiaxcL2QSXoW9 UkM3TATZYts3tWxpqLTW1o0UJS42g2hB9JxW76RqM7taPqxHHK PBOFSFgBcLrrRru4uc283C4TOYZA04oR7PIx9rTbiQ=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX2ewfcd7NCO6mThe1j7gpZ6mnhTH3f1GMtJToHUfqLF aGGcJ5I8hVihVnLAXDeLvBPwRZP2lqzFvlns5ZiaxcL2QSXoW9 UkM3TATZYts3tWxpqLTW1o0UJS42g2hB9JxW76RqM7taPqxHHK PBOFSFgBcLrrRru4uc283C4TOYZA04oR7PIx9rTbiQ=s4000)T he new plant is versatile, and adaptable, as it allows the brewing of smaller batch sizes, to ensure improved freshness and quality, and will also enable the launch of an exclusive small batch series. It also looks very impressive, being all shiny and new. Three core brews are produced, at present – an award-winning lager, a session IPA, plus a rather nice, porter, and these are also supplemented by seasonal and occasional brews. I even noticed a handpump for a caskGreen-Hop Ale, hidden away at the back of the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa5CgU_mgNmtkBcgeQjwyCEiuOkGVFAzh7bfLb-w7Mm0BfKDSxqFNeZCrwG6yTtA3zKL7rt68ALQd41orcjIHuV_t HNr2ro774Xn19xIQmXGGOu0o-wq18T4sX_NhDhkk3YoZjZEROd8fTKuGu79_OM8Qstx84PcCu6Q q1Wije0468tVCTgcWIZs3=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa5CgU_mgNmtkBcgeQjwyCEiuOkGVFAzh7bfLb-w7Mm0BfKDSxqFNeZCrwG6yTtA3zKL7rt68ALQd41orcjIHuV_t HNr2ro774Xn19xIQmXGGOu0o-wq18T4sX_NhDhkk3YoZjZEROd8fTKuGu79_OM8Qstx84PcCu6Q q1Wije0468tVCTgcWIZs3=s4000)
I first became aware of the company, and its “curiously-branded”products after spotting some of their bottles on sale at Waitrose. This must have beenseven or eight years ago, and since learning of their expansion plans, a couple of years later, I had been following developments with interest. Following the opening of the Ashford plant, a visit had been on my “must do” list, and I was just drawing up some plans, when along came Covid! https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizFVfqRCXKoUlD3JJ76yk8POsapvdEUNyWT_lakubj4w jWcmtKIRSFjJbKx988i7J14I6dFrb3CtaGsQUdvkVlBfZy9PVT-uy2T9z5m9FZNh1YXeXtMBHO9pLlnebBSXiCUf1wlVtX2SsCoYg VpQQ3CADsy0lb4D0dgSEXiXwxp_QzYubRsjkypthh=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizFVfqRCXKoUlD3JJ76yk8POsapvdEUNyWT_lakubj4w jWcmtKIRSFjJbKx988i7J14I6dFrb3CtaGsQUdvkVlBfZy9PVT-uy2T9z5m9FZNh1YXeXtMBHO9pLlnebBSXiCUf1wlVtX2SsCoYg VpQQ3CADsy0lb4D0dgSEXiXwxp_QzYubRsjkypthh=s4000)Li ke many businesses, Curious were badly affected by the pandemic, with the various lock-downs hitting its sale to pubs, particularly hard. It was perhaps no surprise then when in February 2021, Chapel Down put the brewery business into administration. It was subsequently sold to Risk Capital Partners (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_Capital_Partners), who not only stressed there would be no redundancies, but also vowed to rebuild the business.
So, with this in mind, Matthew and I turned up, as couple of Fridays ago, to see for ourselves and enjoy a pint or two, before catching the train home. The designers of the Curious Brewing certainly set out to make a bold statement, as the frontage of the brewery sets out to grab your attention and shake you to your core. The stylish restaurant and tap room are on the first floor, with an exterior window looking out towards the station, and an interior one looking out at the brewing kit.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLDy7p8BrkgiwSZCB1PbSCYBr8LPRXbYgdegmD8WnpS tfXDofvCx4U-KGaLgmA9uy16sFjdUKPGNtlJn-RuV0YhgZ7-3GcqTg3S0gvDlrf5oPP1TKNkdJpCcvn9ITU3YCCIwEDlFu62zE jF3UJMku8dDAFZI8_SVzHebkimguwhBQ6Uc72oZqaQeE=w400-h223 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLDy7p8BrkgiwSZCB1PbSCYBr8LPRXbYgdegmD8WnpS tfXDofvCx4U-KGaLgmA9uy16sFjdUKPGNtlJn-RuV0YhgZ7-3GcqTg3S0gvDlrf5oPP1TKNkdJpCcvn9ITU3YCCIwEDlFu62zE jF3UJMku8dDAFZI8_SVzHebkimguwhBQ6Uc72oZqaQeE=s3662 )
The restaurant was busy that afternoon, with plenty of customers enjoying the beer and the food. Matthew went for a pint of Curious Pilsner, whilst I got stuck into a pint of Curious Porter. Both were very good. I can thoroughly recommend visiting Curious Brewing, and if time allows, perhaps taking in a tour of the brewery as well. I also wish the new owners every success for the future.
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/curious-brewery-taproom-restaurant.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1V_01R_OIhSwRYTIcOqdkObAXcSEPJAeSFAVlBRmDl TckoCF91hlKSPyqyHPpxduoZU0e4TyVsYUDnv5mCb-FIaRpPdj3mPHyflt1A4PowAlAzpNrHipb69LSO8rR-0V_3fCw--7OCW-D-txP1Vc5q6nVx1zDqHehTSG8W5sHDPAvJnAfu8PsZPc=w400-h215 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1V_01R_OIhSwRYTIcOqdkObAXcSEPJAeSFAVlBRmDl TckoCF91hlKSPyqyHPpxduoZU0e4TyVsYUDnv5mCb-FIaRpPdj3mPHyflt1A4PowAlAzpNrHipb69LSO8rR-0V_3fCw--7OCW-D-txP1Vc5q6nVx1zDqHehTSG8W5sHDPAvJnAfu8PsZPc=s3946)
It seems I’ve been pipped at the post in my rush to bring the story of my visit to Curious Brewing (https://curiousbrewery.com/brewery/) to readers of this blog. The person who beat me to it, with his own account of a visit to this impressive brewing set-up, is none other than master brewer and fellow beer blogger,Ed Wray. (http://edsbeer.blogspot.com/2022/01/a-visit-to-curious-brewery.html) Ed’s visit was a professional one, as a member of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, whilst mine was purely one of pleasure that came at the end of a visit to my old hometown of Ashford.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5RDAVqQGVfwiXGqND_XuRsnKi6uK60LFKQ8AffsYn9 lg0GEGAy0GCpA0pOqrmVQB2qGPWaSdbZpP2OSmemM-z7dbTSy-YCGn_8YBlfXlCT1v5WaLDAuLFTcf2Sedkfnfo8BIbV7cSwz7Hs WFcQ_De5f8M2aKHVtsOzgQ_pJtxGxzK8S3jmolE9d8=w400-h217 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEia5RDAVqQGVfwiXGqND_XuRsnKi6uK60LFKQ8AffsYn9 lg0GEGAy0GCpA0pOqrmVQB2qGPWaSdbZpP2OSmemM-z7dbTSy-YCGn_8YBlfXlCT1v5WaLDAuLFTcf2Sedkfnfo8BIbV7cSwz7Hs WFcQ_De5f8M2aKHVtsOzgQ_pJtxGxzK8S3jmolE9d8=s3774)
I wrote about that particular excursion last week but left no hint that the day ended with son Matthew and I calling in at Curious Brewing. However, as the company’s state-of-the-art brewery and hospitality centre, are just across the tracks from Ashford’s International station, it would have been rude for us not to have called in.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDKtyA8DK9gHCf7AT5iRtuViMq-MTuOURE7P8SFOm0oCk36Vy6hNjFlLLwKvLEjpdv_Z2jg_XW7TA fAgOaX_xdQGXHApiL-OVZy_k33AkwvZaX33GQ45Ua6R-dfEUt1ve6vp9IUAik1teZKKrKk8f3O_DEx8XO3jqU0rVWhGTOO DGqKvfaOKJe7EA=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSDKtyA8DK9gHCf7AT5iRtuViMq-MTuOURE7P8SFOm0oCk36Vy6hNjFlLLwKvLEjpdv_Z2jg_XW7TA fAgOaX_xdQGXHApiL-OVZy_k33AkwvZaX33GQ45Ua6R-dfEUt1ve6vp9IUAik1teZKKrKk8f3O_DEx8XO3jqU0rVWhGTOO DGqKvfaOKJe7EA=s4000)
The Curious Brewery was established in 2011, as an off shoot of Tenterden-based,Chapel Down Winery (http://www.chapeldown.com/). At first, the beers were all contract-brewed), by Hepworth & Co (http://hepworthbrewery.co.uk/) in Horsham, but it was always Chapel Down’s intention to switch the production of these products to an “in-house” operation. To achieve this aim, a crowd-funding campaign was launched, which raised around £1.5 million.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjprEUQiD2Wfb737xm0J6zumdfztyaKMaLVWy6cHx4LKp DceEirrd6-BtE7kqZLxppHwWcHdxO6qiwIB2zoc3Xn_i1GY3Jovb7JwVsPvb jjGEnJbRkI5RADH_Oih7DtAWG71VQTlkYI1TA_v5rajLPLOsVM DnHEN6dPmvvsaZQamzYFuBMk6WPvSjot=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjprEUQiD2Wfb737xm0J6zumdfztyaKMaLVWy6cHx4LKp DceEirrd6-BtE7kqZLxppHwWcHdxO6qiwIB2zoc3Xn_i1GY3Jovb7JwVsPvb jjGEnJbRkI5RADH_Oih7DtAWG71VQTlkYI1TA_v5rajLPLOsVM DnHEN6dPmvvsaZQamzYFuBMk6WPvSjot=s4000)
After acquiring a 1.6-acre site, directly opposite Ashford International station, work began on the construction of a state-of-the-art brewing facility, which opened in May 2019. A total of £6 million was spent on the 50HL 5-vessel brew-house, complete with 19 fermentation tanks, giving a total capacity of 2,900hl.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX2ewfcd7NCO6mThe1j7gpZ6mnhTH3f1GMtJToHUfqLF aGGcJ5I8hVihVnLAXDeLvBPwRZP2lqzFvlns5ZiaxcL2QSXoW9 UkM3TATZYts3tWxpqLTW1o0UJS42g2hB9JxW76RqM7taPqxHHK PBOFSFgBcLrrRru4uc283C4TOYZA04oR7PIx9rTbiQ=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX2ewfcd7NCO6mThe1j7gpZ6mnhTH3f1GMtJToHUfqLF aGGcJ5I8hVihVnLAXDeLvBPwRZP2lqzFvlns5ZiaxcL2QSXoW9 UkM3TATZYts3tWxpqLTW1o0UJS42g2hB9JxW76RqM7taPqxHHK PBOFSFgBcLrrRru4uc283C4TOYZA04oR7PIx9rTbiQ=s4000)T he new plant is versatile, and adaptable, as it allows the brewing of smaller batch sizes, to ensure improved freshness and quality, and will also enable the launch of an exclusive small batch series. It also looks very impressive, being all shiny and new. Three core brews are produced, at present – an award-winning lager, a session IPA, plus a rather nice, porter, and these are also supplemented by seasonal and occasional brews. I even noticed a handpump for a caskGreen-Hop Ale, hidden away at the back of the bar.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa5CgU_mgNmtkBcgeQjwyCEiuOkGVFAzh7bfLb-w7Mm0BfKDSxqFNeZCrwG6yTtA3zKL7rt68ALQd41orcjIHuV_t HNr2ro774Xn19xIQmXGGOu0o-wq18T4sX_NhDhkk3YoZjZEROd8fTKuGu79_OM8Qstx84PcCu6Q q1Wije0468tVCTgcWIZs3=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEisa5CgU_mgNmtkBcgeQjwyCEiuOkGVFAzh7bfLb-w7Mm0BfKDSxqFNeZCrwG6yTtA3zKL7rt68ALQd41orcjIHuV_t HNr2ro774Xn19xIQmXGGOu0o-wq18T4sX_NhDhkk3YoZjZEROd8fTKuGu79_OM8Qstx84PcCu6Q q1Wije0468tVCTgcWIZs3=s4000)
I first became aware of the company, and its “curiously-branded”products after spotting some of their bottles on sale at Waitrose. This must have beenseven or eight years ago, and since learning of their expansion plans, a couple of years later, I had been following developments with interest. Following the opening of the Ashford plant, a visit had been on my “must do” list, and I was just drawing up some plans, when along came Covid! https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizFVfqRCXKoUlD3JJ76yk8POsapvdEUNyWT_lakubj4w jWcmtKIRSFjJbKx988i7J14I6dFrb3CtaGsQUdvkVlBfZy9PVT-uy2T9z5m9FZNh1YXeXtMBHO9pLlnebBSXiCUf1wlVtX2SsCoYg VpQQ3CADsy0lb4D0dgSEXiXwxp_QzYubRsjkypthh=w400-h225 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEizFVfqRCXKoUlD3JJ76yk8POsapvdEUNyWT_lakubj4w jWcmtKIRSFjJbKx988i7J14I6dFrb3CtaGsQUdvkVlBfZy9PVT-uy2T9z5m9FZNh1YXeXtMBHO9pLlnebBSXiCUf1wlVtX2SsCoYg VpQQ3CADsy0lb4D0dgSEXiXwxp_QzYubRsjkypthh=s4000)Li ke many businesses, Curious were badly affected by the pandemic, with the various lock-downs hitting its sale to pubs, particularly hard. It was perhaps no surprise then when in February 2021, Chapel Down put the brewery business into administration. It was subsequently sold to Risk Capital Partners (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_Capital_Partners), who not only stressed there would be no redundancies, but also vowed to rebuild the business.
So, with this in mind, Matthew and I turned up, as couple of Fridays ago, to see for ourselves and enjoy a pint or two, before catching the train home. The designers of the Curious Brewing certainly set out to make a bold statement, as the frontage of the brewery sets out to grab your attention and shake you to your core. The stylish restaurant and tap room are on the first floor, with an exterior window looking out towards the station, and an interior one looking out at the brewing kit.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLDy7p8BrkgiwSZCB1PbSCYBr8LPRXbYgdegmD8WnpS tfXDofvCx4U-KGaLgmA9uy16sFjdUKPGNtlJn-RuV0YhgZ7-3GcqTg3S0gvDlrf5oPP1TKNkdJpCcvn9ITU3YCCIwEDlFu62zE jF3UJMku8dDAFZI8_SVzHebkimguwhBQ6Uc72oZqaQeE=w400-h223 (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLDy7p8BrkgiwSZCB1PbSCYBr8LPRXbYgdegmD8WnpS tfXDofvCx4U-KGaLgmA9uy16sFjdUKPGNtlJn-RuV0YhgZ7-3GcqTg3S0gvDlrf5oPP1TKNkdJpCcvn9ITU3YCCIwEDlFu62zE jF3UJMku8dDAFZI8_SVzHebkimguwhBQ6Uc72oZqaQeE=s3662 )
The restaurant was busy that afternoon, with plenty of customers enjoying the beer and the food. Matthew went for a pint of Curious Pilsner, whilst I got stuck into a pint of Curious Porter. Both were very good. I can thoroughly recommend visiting Curious Brewing, and if time allows, perhaps taking in a tour of the brewery as well. I also wish the new owners every success for the future.
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/curious-brewery-taproom-restaurant.html)