Hoxne Brewery was an idea conceived over a few too many real ales at the start of 2013. We created it to establish a versatile microbrewery in our village with a view to creating extraordinary ales using as many local ingredients as possible. We have joined the Cooperative of East Anglian Brewers and their "Barley to Beer" project that is sourcing the very best of ingredients so that local brewers like ourselves can create exciting beers that are full of flavor and character. For example, we will be using Maris Otter barley from Teddy Maufe's Branthill Farm on the Holkham Estate in North Norfolk. This is then malted by traditional methods to our exacting specifications. Using expressive yeasts and unusual adjuncts we're looking to explore new flavors with every brew. As we're a small brewery we'll be able to experiment, which means we can explore many styles of beer and try new ingredients to create some epic ales. Beers, like wine, will vary from batch to batch - some good, some brilliant, and they'll go quickly because batches will be small but we're hoping this will bring you back for more. Some brews will be laid down like a fine wine to see how their complexity develops over time. But where did it all start? Well like many others I converted to real ale many years ago after far too long drinking dull and tasteless lagers that frankly did nothing for me. After drinking the mass produced tipples on offer I started to look elsewhere - specifically small producers who, like me, were passionate about brewing. After all, who doesn't like a good beer? Well actually my wife doesn't but that will have to change! I started out home brewing many years ago and in all honesty what I was producing back then was shocking. This was a time when you could buy homebrew kits in Boots. I didn't read any labels, threw it all into a demijohn, lost patience in the magic of fermentation and ended up feeling rather unwell. Being a man I started to do the unthinkable, reading the instructions and learning a little bit about the process. It all started going rather well and I went from extract kits up to full mash brew days. Brew days are something that I love, especially when Test Match Special is on the radio and I can just lose myself in this obsession. I turn the phones off and potter around with the kit until by the end of the day I have enough beer to keep me happy for at least a week. As my passion grew so did the amount of kit, clearly another 'man' thing, and this resulted in me being kicked out of my usual brewing room and into the barn next to the house. It was in there that I started to think about turning my hobby into a business. Keep checking our web page for news or follow us on Twitter @hoxnebrew for regular updates. Happy drinking! Dan.