Awesome opportunity, but need help with a porter!

[WelshPaul]

I was chatting to the landlord in my local last night about his ale selection and happened to mention that he had no dark ales on the menu. He said that not only was he planning on getting a porter added to the menu in time for autumn, but that he wanted the pub to produce their own!
Obviously, I offered to lend whatever help he wanted and he seems rather keen on the idea.

I'll be popping back down there to discuss exact requirements and have already said that I'm happy to let them use whatever equipment was needed: the only things that I don't have are kegs to store the finished result in, although I'm sure that a couple of landlords should be able to solve that particular problem. I mentioned that the most that I could brew with my equipment in one day would be around 50 litres and he was more than happy with that.

Naturally, I'm very excited about helping to produce a beer that will be served in my very own local but I'm just not too sure on how to make a good porter. It's not a beer that I usually drink and I don't have any recipes in any of my books. I am not short on any of the malts as far as I can tell (I have a good stock of Crsytal, Amber, Chocolate, etc) but I do not know what kind of hops or yeast to use; I was thinking of something simple like a Nottingham.

Any suggestions folks?

 

[graysalchemy]

I think before you get carried away with what recipe to use I think the small issue of HMRC and environmental health needs to be addressed first.

 

[Runwell-Steve]

Sorry to put a dampener on your plans but my recommendation would be don't do it.

There is a lot more to it than just brewing some beer, and to be brutally honest, the fact you have never brewed a Porter before probably doesn't bode well.

Here are the main legal issues you face though.

In order to brew beer to be sold in a pub, the premises on which the beer is to be brewed must be registered with HMRC as a brewery.
All beer produced on that premises going forward will then be subject to tax.
This also means the premises you are brewing on will become a business, so if you were planning to do it at home you would need planning permission for change of use.
You would also as a business need to abide by all Health and Safety regulations, and Food Hygiene regulations. I think it is almost guaranteed that your Home Brewery wouldn't pass Health and Safety regs, I know mine wouldn't.

Producing beer to be sold involves a lot of rules and regulations, and is a lot more hassle than just brewing for yourself. If you did start doing it at home, all your Home Brew would become liable for tax as well.

If you seriously want to look into it then get hold of this book and digest it thoroughly, it will probably put you off the idea though.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microbrewers-Ha ... 512&sr=8-1

 

[WelshPaul]

We were planning on using the pub as the premises for brewing rather than my house so I'll bring the licensing issue up when I see them. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Darcey]

I will have to agree with the above.

A previous boss of mine looked at converting part of his cellar into a brewery. He spent £3000 quid on plans and building works, council vists and brewery registration before being told that with a big fat NO that he couldnt do it. (due to local objection from residents).

I wouldnt worry about not being able to make a porter yet because you'll have at least a 1 year wait (if your council planning officer is on the ball and EHO..) before you'll be able to fill your HLT.

Its a dream I have but I doubt I'll be doing it for at least 10 years.

As Runwell-Steve sugested buy this book, its honest and is full of information and will give you more of an idea about the start up costs and times.

If you seriously want to look into it then get hold of this book and digest it thoroughly, it will probably put you off the idea though.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microbrewers-Ha ... 512&sr=8-1

D

 

[Runwell-Steve]

I don't think you need to worry about licensing, the pub will already have a license to sell alcohol. I don't think brewing it on the premises changes that but I could be wrong.

There is a lot to setting up a Micro Brewery, it is a whole different Ball Game to Home Brew, the only similarities being that both start with grain and hops, and end up with beer.

Even brewing in the pub you still need to be a registered Brewery with HMRC, you will still need the brewery to pass any Environmental Health checks, and you will also need to sort out planning permission to use the pub as a brewery.

You will also need lots of space available to store the beer while it is fermenting and conditioning.