Grab the Nettle Beer
An Unique Spring Ale
25 – 27 Mayl 2012
Break Highlights:
- Opportunity to taste a medieval style beer
- Short walk into the Quantocks (2 miles) to pick nettles
- Talk on ancient brewing techniques and styles
- A bottle of the finished beer sent to your door
Introduction:
Prior to the Reformation in the 1530s English beer had no hops in it. Therefore the brewers, often monks, had to use alternative plants and herbs to flavour the beer. Nettles were a popular additive, as were bog myrtle, yarrow, rosemary and elderflower.
In an attempt to recreate this beer of old we get out into the Quantocks to pick our nettles early on Saturday morning and then start the brewing process later in the morning after a hearty breakfast.
Itinerary:
Friday:
- Arrive Friday afternoon
- Friday evening beer tasting and dinner
Saturday:
- Pre-breakfast walk to pick nettles
- Farmhouse style breakfast whilst mashing takes place
- Run-off, boiling and talk
- Afternoon free time
- Evening – dinner at local inn
- Fun quiz
Sunday:
- Breakfast
- Fermentation inspection
- Departure
Availability and Prices (based on two people sharing):
Premium double: (P) £195 (NP) £99 (2 rooms available)
Standard double/twin: (P) £185 (NP) £99 (3 rooms available)
Single: (P) £220 (available on request)
What’s Included?
- Welcome drinks and tastings
- 2 x bed and breakfast
- 1 x in-house dinner
- 1 x pub dinner (one course)
- Guided walk
- Rubber gloves!
- Tutored, fully interactive brew day
- Fun pub quiz
- A bottle of the finished beer sent to your door
