Successful launch for the Fownes Dwarfen Brewery

Thursday the 18^th of October saw the launch of the Fownes Dwarfen Brewery. Based at The Jolly Crispin, a pub on the famous Gornal run, I looked forward to sampling what enthusiastic brewers, and brothers, James and Tom Fownes, had to offer. The genesis for their brewery began back in 2010 in the very same pub and two years down the line their half barrel plant is pumping out elixir for the masses. Their plan is to increase to a 2 barrel plant by the end of 2013.

The evening got off to a great start and was attended by members of local CAMRA branches, pub regulars, other local brewers and the local press. Before long the Crispin was heaving with drinkers enjoying the liquid offerings supplemented by beer biscuits, a four tier cake in the shape of a leather Tudor tankard and professional storyteller John Edgar who performed tales created for the beers by the brewers themselves. It's the latter part that makes the Dwarfen Brewery particularly interesting. The brothers both have a passion for fantasy gaming and immersive stories and have combined this with their love of fine ales to develop a brand that pulls together traditional fantasy stories with the great industrial heritage of their Black Country setting to bring back the ancient tradition of story telling in taverns.

Beers

So far I've managed to sample the following from their stable:

 

Crispin's Ommer 4.1%, a house beer brewed specially for the Jolly Crispin. This pale coloured beer uses malted wheat and Cascade hops to provide its citrus, bitter flavour.

Gunhild 4%, a honey ale made with pale and speciality malts with 20% of the grist coming from Blossom Honey and hopped with Cluster and Saaz. Flavours are of natural unsweetened honey with a creamy biscuit background and a caramel finish.

Goat Rider 4.8% is an amber coloured ale with pumpkin pie spices and smoked malt.

Frost Hammer 4.6% is a very bitter pale ale using Summit hops to provide a citrus aroma.

King Korvak's Saga 5.4%. This beer has been my favourite Fownes so far. A whole range of malts complimented with a light hopping of Fuggles provides a smoky, dry flavoured porter. I'm a big fan of dry porters and the richly roasted, smoked flavour really works well in this moderately strong brew.

Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2012 and into 2013

The brewery plan to have their “Leviathan” 7% spiced winter warmer ready for the popular Dudley Winter Ales Fayre which runs from the 22^nd to 24^th of November and then have it on sale at the Jolly Crispin throughout the month of December so make a note in your diary!

2013 should also prove to be an exciting one with the brewery planning to produce a “Best of British” range showcasing British hops in conjunction with Charles Faram hop merchants and Ali Capper from the British Hop Association.

Microbreweries have proven to be a 21^st century British success story and I hope to see James and Tom go from strength to strength. Cheers!