Old Forge News
13th April 2011 - NEW BEER
OLD TED MILD - abv 3.6%
A Dark Mahogany mild with a bitter lasting finish.
Our new beer is available at The Radnor Arms.
The Old Forge Wins Fine Farm Produce Award
The Old Forge Brewery, based at The Radnor Arms in the National Trust village of Coleshill in Oxfordshire have just won this prestigious award
The pub, originally a blacksmiths, was converted to a pub in 1949 and is now owned by the Trust.
The four-barrel micro-brewery was started in June this year in an old out-building by Alan Watkins.
Judges gave an award to a special three-pack of Old Forge Beer, made up of Anvil Ale, Blacksmith’s Gold and Hammer and Tongs.
The three beers are very distinctive, crafted from local barley and a variety of different hops – including Challenger, Fuggles and Progress - to old, traditional English recipes, explained Alan. “We only use natural products and no artificial ingredients and we don’t carbonate or pasteurise our beers either,” he added.
Judge Rob described the Anvil Ale as “refreshing, with long-lasting metallic bitterness” and the Blacksmith’s Gold as having “complex fresh flavours with strong wheat overtones”. But Hammer and Tongs was his favourite: “This is a good, satisfying beer, chestnut coloured with a subtle hoppy nose and smooth, slightly malty finish.”
The beers are currently on sale from The Old Forge and other local pubs and shops. Alan, who is aiming to produce around 5,000 bottles a year, said: “It’s excellent to win this award – having a quality mark from the National Trust will definitely drive interest in our beers.”
