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Belvoir Brewery Trip

Tuesday 29th January 2008

A party of eight gathered at Hinckley Station, most of us keen to flex our Concession Cards to obtain a 50% reduction on the fares to Melton Mowbray. The plan was to catch a local bus from Melton out to Old Dalby, the new site of the Belvoir Brewery & Sample Centre. There was ample time for a beer in Melton, the Anne of Cleves was chosen. Melton seems to be a very well planned town; it has 3 pubs in the 2008GBG, all in Burton Street, ideally situated between the Station & the Town Centre! The Anne of Cleves, an Everards pub, with Titanic, Full Steam Ahead as a guest to compliment the usual Everards beers. This must be one of Everards' oldest pubs being part of Henry VIII's divorce settlement to Anne.

It was Market Day in Melton and we joined the ladies of Asfordby & Old Dalby on their way home from market with their wheelie bins, no doubt full of Pork Pies & Stilton. They were obviously all regulars - the driver seemed to drop each one at their front gate!

We eventually arrived at the Belvoir Brewery at about 12:50. The Brewery & Sample Cellar are situated in a new building conveniently situated alongside the road, next to a bus stop. We were expected and the 'Welcome Board' was out for Hinckley & Bosworth CAMRA - albeit with the 'c' missing from Hinckley - still even our council can get that wrong, so they were immediately forgiven.

There were 3 beers on offer: Beaver Bitter, Whippling Bitter & Oatmeal Stout. The latter being particularly enjoyable. Unfortunately we were unable to tour the brewery, due to works in progress, but there are numerous large windows that give an excellent view. It was good to meet Colin Brown who found time to come and have a beer & a chat with us. Colin is brewing a special beer for the Leicester Beer Festival and was looking for a suitable name for it. Despite various unsuitable suggestions, Norman eventually suggested 'A Cut Above' to fit in with the Waterways theme - Colin seemed quite taken by this, but only time will tell if it is adopted. After a Pork Pie & Stilton Ploughman's Lunch, it was time to catch the bus back to Melton - they only run hourly!

Safely back to Melton and time for a beer in the excellent Harboro Hotel, where Side Pocket for a Toad from Tring Brewery was on offer along with the regular beers (Tetley, Landlord & Hobgoblin) and two draught ciders.

Another good day out, one to be repeated, perhaps during the summer. Our thanks to Colin & his ladies for their hospitality.

Sample Cellar bar	Sample Cellar bottled beers etc.	a corner of the Sample Cellar	The 8 of us	Beer Menu	The Brewery thro' a window	The bus home arrives

Words & Photos by Alan Cooke

Belvoir Brewery website

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