Brewery visit brightens ARS day

The Long-ARS walk in the Peak District on Saturday was not as long as most ARS expeditions but heavy rain throughout meant most of the fifteen braving the elements were happy to see Wincle next to the Dane River bridge on the Cheshire/ Staffordshire border again after three and half hours of hiking.

Even more so, they were happy to spot the Wincle Brewery a few yards away from the parked cars, knowing that a visit had been arranged for the end of the walk.

Even better was the local link as the Wincle Brewery was set up and is run by Audlem-raised Giles Meadows.

After previously running Wincle's pub, The Ship, Giles set up a small brewery a short distance away but was always looking for premises in Wincle itself. These were eventually found and operations moved to the building in the photo.

As well as some beer sampling – including a welcome hot chocolate for some – the ARS team was treated to a brewery tour by Giles, who explained the whole process and answered many questions from the real ale enthusiasts. The various barleys and some wheats, varieties of hops, the yeast and, of course, the water which comes up from a 60m borehole, all were discussed and considered.

It was a fascinating tour and the team afterwards came away with various purchases from the Wincle range, including the aptly named Rambler.

Unfortunately, despite hearing before the walk from the brewing team that the area's famous wallabies had been spotted again recently after a seemingly long absence, the nearest ARS came to one was a glass of Wincle Wibbly Wallaby, a full-bodied pale ale.

Fortunately for those that don't want to walk so many miles for a pint, Wincle beers are often on draught at the Lord Combermere, an ideal place to raise a glass to Audlem's Giles Meadows, a man obviously passionate about his chosen profession and who has created a great brewery.

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