If you go down to the Woodstock today,You’re sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the Woodstock today, You’d better go to the Brewers Co-op.
Why? Great beer that’s why. The Brewers Co-Op opened this year in Albert Road Woodstock. So what is a Co-Op? It is ‘An association of persons who voluntarily cooperate for their mutual, social, economic, and cultural benefit’. Fourteen guys have clubbed together to created this association to cooperate for the mutual benefit of making great beer. The brewers backgrounds vary and all have day jobs but have all dabbled to different levels in the fine art of home brewing.
The Beerhouse team visited the co-op and were shown around by Rob Ambler-Smith one of the ‘Co-Opers’ . We got a look at the small but impressive Brewery that is fully automated and controlled through software on a lap top, something usually reserved for the big boys with the mega bucks. Such ingenuity goes along way in the micro-brewing world.
So a society without a democratically elected leader or dictator despot? How does that work? Is it not chaos, who brews when? These were some of the questions from the team. Rob is under no illusion that it has not always been easy but the co-operation has been maintained and nurtured through committees that take responsibility for admin (uuurgh), brewing schedules and looking after there show room. The bar is a small but impressive set up with each of the Co-Opers installing their choice of tap handle. From dinosaurs to bugles it makes for an impressive back bar. However what is most impressive about this place is the beer. These guys are making excellent small batch beer and the variety of styles is outstanding. “For me personally, the best thing as a brewer is the ability to brew new beers and continue to be experimental. As a customer, I also love the fact that you can come in every week, and there will be something new on tap”, Rob enthuses.
The beers are of such quality that they are being recognized nationally. The latest finalist were announced for the SAB Craft Brewers Championship and two beers from the Co-Op have been shortlisted. Hopping Frog Brewworks, Rambunctious Rye and Ukhamba Beerworx & HopHazard Brewing collaboration, The Red Brick Shit House barley Wine.
Beerhouse on Long will introduce a special new tap for the Co-op that we will be rotating their variety of beers. Starting with Rob’s Damnation Brewing Lone Wolf American Pale Ale.
Stay Thirsty Stay Curious
[…] new kid on the block, Rambunctions Rye, from Hopping Frog Brewworks- that forms part of the Brewers Co-Op in Woodstock- has taken first place as top beer AND journalist’s choice. I’ve yet to […]