A couple of nights back there was a knock on our front door.
I opened the door expecting to find carol singers trying to blag money for giving us two out-of-tune bars of âwe wish you a merry Christmasâ, but instead a very nice man thrust 3 bottles of beer at me. I've just sampled one, put one down the cellar for another time and dropped the 3rd round the corner for the Green Ninja's opinion.
Kiddy has a brand new microbrewery which is still in its infancy. If I remember correctly it's a 2.5 BBL set-up, a hobby which has turned into a part-time business, and the beers are currently all bottled and are being sold through just three local outlets at present.
One of those held a tasting day last month, so I went along, met the brewer, sampled his wares and bought a few bottles. As I seemed particularly enthusiastic and we were talking the same language, he took my name and address and promised to drop off some samples of his next brew when it was ready, hence the knock on the door.
Two beers were on offer, his most popular being a blonde ale called Weavers' Gold in reference to the town's history as a major player in the carpet industry, although sadly little of that now remains. In my opinion a pleasant enough session beer, light and refreshing, I can appreciate why it should sell well.
His other bottling was a âSir Rowlandâ 5.2% abv Strong Mild Ale, named in reference to Kiddy's most famous son Rowland Hill, the inventor of the self-adhesive postage stamp. For me, that was the winner. Good and malty, fruity overtones, hops in evidence but not overpowering, and a well balanced brew.
His latest bottling has borrowed a Black Country term for its name, although Kiddy would never have been classed as part of that area. Even so, as a classic 4.4% abv English bitter with a decent kick of Fuggles and Goldings, I have no intention of calling him to question over trades descriptions, that brew really is Bostin' (excellent).
There is a website currently under construction, not much there at the moment but it has got a photo and details of stockists.
Anyone in the area, do yourselves a favour, get round there and buy some (if there's any left, it is proving to be popular).
I hope I may get the chance to join the bloke for a brewday over the holidays, so will add more information and photos when I can.
I opened the door expecting to find carol singers trying to blag money for giving us two out-of-tune bars of âwe wish you a merry Christmasâ, but instead a very nice man thrust 3 bottles of beer at me. I've just sampled one, put one down the cellar for another time and dropped the 3rd round the corner for the Green Ninja's opinion.
Kiddy has a brand new microbrewery which is still in its infancy. If I remember correctly it's a 2.5 BBL set-up, a hobby which has turned into a part-time business, and the beers are currently all bottled and are being sold through just three local outlets at present.
One of those held a tasting day last month, so I went along, met the brewer, sampled his wares and bought a few bottles. As I seemed particularly enthusiastic and we were talking the same language, he took my name and address and promised to drop off some samples of his next brew when it was ready, hence the knock on the door.
Two beers were on offer, his most popular being a blonde ale called Weavers' Gold in reference to the town's history as a major player in the carpet industry, although sadly little of that now remains. In my opinion a pleasant enough session beer, light and refreshing, I can appreciate why it should sell well.
His other bottling was a âSir Rowlandâ 5.2% abv Strong Mild Ale, named in reference to Kiddy's most famous son Rowland Hill, the inventor of the self-adhesive postage stamp. For me, that was the winner. Good and malty, fruity overtones, hops in evidence but not overpowering, and a well balanced brew.
His latest bottling has borrowed a Black Country term for its name, although Kiddy would never have been classed as part of that area. Even so, as a classic 4.4% abv English bitter with a decent kick of Fuggles and Goldings, I have no intention of calling him to question over trades descriptions, that brew really is Bostin' (excellent).
There is a website currently under construction, not much there at the moment but it has got a photo and details of stockists.
Anyone in the area, do yourselves a favour, get round there and buy some (if there's any left, it is proving to be popular).
I hope I may get the chance to join the bloke for a brewday over the holidays, so will add more information and photos when I can.
