Visit to Castle Rock Brewery
4th June 2011
Several CAMRA members joined the trip to Castle Rock Brewery, Nottingham organized by Phil & Dawn from the Queen's Head, Hinckley. We all met at Hinckley Station on a lovely warm Saturday morning to catch the 10:30 train to Nottingham via Leicester. We arrived well in time for our booked visit, so everyone headed straight for the bar in the Vat & Fiddle which is the brewery tap.
After a quick sharpener we were gathered together by Claire who was to be our guide for the tour and 25 of us set off to the brewery. It soon became apparent that Castle Rock Brewery is a lot bigger than it appears from the road, having taken over the factory block next door. They are now able to produced 360 barrels per week from the 40 barrel plant. Don't forget, in brewers terms, a barrel holds 36 gallons! Like many breweries Castle Rock looked clean and tidy with lots of (quite large) stainless steel vessels and pipes. Claire gave us a concise run down of the company history and the brewing process with the usual 'taste this', 'smell that' options thrown in.
Finally we were presented with our Visitor's Packs in which were some beer tokens, so it was back to the Vat & Fiddle to try some of Castle Rocks many beers. Personally I was quite taken by the Black Gold, a dark mild at 3.8%
From here the party split up and went their own ways, we chose to visit another Castle Rock pub round the corner called The Canalside. This is in an old canal warehouse next door to the Fellows, Morton & Clayton pub. This area of Nottingham seems to have become a drinkers paradise with many canal side establishments, all with large outside drinking areas - ideal to while away a warm Saturday afternoon.
From The Canalside, we ventured to the Olde Trip to Jerusalem - don't ask me why - it's obviously just a tourist venue now.
After the compulsory Indian meal, we caught the train home feeling pleasantly relaxed.
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Hinckley Station | Vat & Fiddle | V&F Beer List | The Brewery | |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Viewing Gallery | Phil, Dawn & Claire | The Canalside | The Indian |
Words by Alan
Photos by Chris & Phill Wholton