A choice between rearing hens or brewing beer?

Based in the heart of Cheshire, we are one of the only Breweries in the country using pure mineral spring water in all its beers.  How did this first come about?  Well, formerly I had been working for the BBC as an outside broadcast sound engineer, I decided to have a change in career.  The family purchased 120 acres of beautiful rolling Cheshire countryside with a view to obtaining planning permission for free range hens.  However, after a few days of ownership we noticed one of the fields had a spring bubbling up and running down the field.   John, a friend, made a passing remark “I bet that would make one hell of a beer!”.  Both being fond of beer, I replied “Give me a shopping list and we’ll give it a go!”.  Hence, the outcome was delicious and later became our first brew, Woodlands Bitter.  

To do this properly, we first had to have the water tested for suitability and it passed with flying colours.  The report stated  “very high in minerals”.    We then  persuaded a commercial brewer, Khean Brewing in Congleton, to brew with our recipe and our wonderful crystal water . The beer was received very well by the public, so well in fact, that there were requests for more.  I approached Ken, the owner of Khean Brewing, to see if we could come to an agreement about the production of our beer, only to be told he was selling the brewery!  So we decided that we’d have a go at a commercial level ourselves.  We purchased Khean’s brewery equipment and  Ken was an inspiration and helped us above and beyond the call of duty to get our commerical brewing off the ground.   We next found premises closer to the source of the water, relocated the brewery and so Woodlands Brewery was born.

If you had the decision to rear 10,000 free range hens or full time brewing – what would you do – no contest really is there!  We have also recently taken over The Globe on Audlem Road in Nantwich – so come and try one of our fine ales from our original Woodlands Bitter to our paler, fruitier beer like Old Willow. Enjoy the added fact that all our beer is brewed with natural spring water from a local field to Nantwich!  If you cannot experience our newly refurbished pub, you can also order on-line – which can make a great gift for someone!

If you would like any further information, please feel free to
contact us

Tel: 01270 620101

Email: info@woodlandsbrewery.co.uk

Website: www.woodlandsbrewery.co.uk