Latest Simon Buckley column from the Journal
Latest 'Iechyd Da' beer column written by Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley for the Carmarthen Journal -
Nationalism on the rebound!
If you had been at The Guildhall in London for the International Brewing Awards, you would have sensed a great Welsh Nationalism breaking out among the brewers from Wales who had been summoned to this magnificent and historic building for the prize-giving and medal presentation.
For the first time in my brewing career, I had the rare privilege of taking my brewing team to The Guildhall to receive a prize at the awards. Not any old prize, but one of the most cherished and sought-after prizes of this, the oldest brewing awards competition in the world.
This was a competition judged over three days in February by some of the most talented brewers in the world, and a final tasting panel of some 30 judges.
The significance of our brewing team’s achievement was only to become apparent in the relative splendour and grandeur of The Guildhall. They had brewed one of the top three beers in the World. Cwrw, the beer that is now set to become the National Drink of Wales, had been voted very best bitter from Wales, and to the glory of us Welsh brewers one of the top three beers in the world.
Yes, the world!
We were surrounded by beers and brewers from every corner of the world - The Pacific Basin, Australasia, the US and continental Europe.
When my two young brewers stepped onto the stage to have their photograph taken with the top international judge Bill Taylor, from Australia, the sheer delight in their eyes was an emotional moment for an old brewer.
For two young men to then show off their beer to their peer group in the magnificence of The Crypt at The Guildhall at the tasting that followed, and to be quizzed by some of the greatest names in UK brewing, was a great experience for them, and a great moment for Welsh brewing.
It was great to hear the production director of the oldest brewery in the UK (yes, they had been at it some 20 years before we started!) ask in disbelief of Iven Kelleher, my lead brewer, whether he had brewed the beer - and then how old he was! The look of disbelief was a treasured moment.
With Easter at our door, the sun shining, and the phone red hot, we are seeing a huge renaissance at the top end of Welsh brewing.
Licensees are now supporting us and the other local brewers. At last, the once ‘must have Saes brands’ are on their way out.
Tourist are demanding great Welsh beers and now when they visit this corner of Wales they can say that they can taste one of the top three beers in the world.
Now all we can hope for is that our national rugby team follow the young brewers of Wales, and put Welsh rugby right up there on the world stage in the autumn.
Finally, what we need in this year of Royal events is a little Royal patronage and support for the brewers of West Wales - and to perhaps (in this our 245 year celebration) to again serve great beers to our future King.
Nationalism on the rebound!
If you had been at The Guildhall in London for the International Brewing Awards, you would have sensed a great Welsh Nationalism breaking out among the brewers from Wales who had been summoned to this magnificent and historic building for the prize-giving and medal presentation.
For the first time in my brewing career, I had the rare privilege of taking my brewing team to The Guildhall to receive a prize at the awards. Not any old prize, but one of the most cherished and sought-after prizes of this, the oldest brewing awards competition in the world.
This was a competition judged over three days in February by some of the most talented brewers in the world, and a final tasting panel of some 30 judges.
The significance of our brewing team’s achievement was only to become apparent in the relative splendour and grandeur of The Guildhall. They had brewed one of the top three beers in the World. Cwrw, the beer that is now set to become the National Drink of Wales, had been voted very best bitter from Wales, and to the glory of us Welsh brewers one of the top three beers in the world.
Yes, the world!
We were surrounded by beers and brewers from every corner of the world - The Pacific Basin, Australasia, the US and continental Europe.
When my two young brewers stepped onto the stage to have their photograph taken with the top international judge Bill Taylor, from Australia, the sheer delight in their eyes was an emotional moment for an old brewer.
For two young men to then show off their beer to their peer group in the magnificence of The Crypt at The Guildhall at the tasting that followed, and to be quizzed by some of the greatest names in UK brewing, was a great experience for them, and a great moment for Welsh brewing.
It was great to hear the production director of the oldest brewery in the UK (yes, they had been at it some 20 years before we started!) ask in disbelief of Iven Kelleher, my lead brewer, whether he had brewed the beer - and then how old he was! The look of disbelief was a treasured moment.
With Easter at our door, the sun shining, and the phone red hot, we are seeing a huge renaissance at the top end of Welsh brewing.
Licensees are now supporting us and the other local brewers. At last, the once ‘must have Saes brands’ are on their way out.
Tourist are demanding great Welsh beers and now when they visit this corner of Wales they can say that they can taste one of the top three beers in the world.
Now all we can hope for is that our national rugby team follow the young brewers of Wales, and put Welsh rugby right up there on the world stage in the autumn.
Finally, what we need in this year of Royal events is a little Royal patronage and support for the brewers of West Wales - and to perhaps (in this our 245 year celebration) to again serve great beers to our future King.
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