Gilbert White opened his brewhouse in 1765 and the museum still holds his original brewing records which he compiled over a thirty-year period. The brewhouse has now opened as a Nano Brewery providing craft beer and lager to the local community.
Brewing is a big part of East Hampshire’s culture and something that Gilbert White enjoyed doing in his spare time.
“Bror Harry’s strong beer, which was brewed last Easter Monday with the hordeum nudum, is now tapped, & incomparably good: it is somewhat deeper-coloured than beer usually is in this country, not from the mat’s being higher
The beer is brewed in the 1765 brewhouse and during the Summer the volunteer brewers use the hops picked from the garden. The beer is sold in the cafe and shop, both as individual items and in packs.
The brewing and naming of each beer is inspired by the history and landscape connected to the museum, discover the variety of beers brewed below!
Gilbert White’s Brewery produces:
Gilbert’s 1765 – A particular characteristic of this ale is a slight but subtle smokiness both in taste and aroma and based on Gilbert White’s original ale recipe. This ale is a further development of the Gilbert White Bitter previously on sale at Whites. (4.7% abv – 500ml)
Capt. Laurence Oates: Oates of course is well known for giving his life to help the other members of the ill-fated Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Scott in 1912. Developed in his memory, this is a traditional English India Pale Ale based on a recipe which has its foundation in the 19th Century. Amber coloured, it is a complex balanced beer with tastes of fruits, spice, bread, caramel and raisin. A beer to be sipped slowly and enjoyed with a meal. (4.7% abv – 500ml)
Zig Zag Ale – The house ale favourite; a strong traditional ale at around 6% abv gets you to the top of the hanger quickly. Having a golden amber colour, this beer has hints of caramel, light fruits and roasted malt. A classic English beer that will be enjoyed bottled or on draft from the keg (normally over 6% abv – 500ml)
Bostal – this ale will eventually replace our original Bostal. New Bostal is an ale in the tradition of Sussex Bitter. This is a superbly balanced bitter with prominent hop character. The brew evolved over decades, satisfying the expectations of the people of Sussex and its adjoining counties. Finest Maris Otter malted barley is supplemented with a dash of Crystal malt for balance. The hops are a blend of four different local whole varieties, to give a distinctive traditional hoppy finish. (4.3% abv – 500ml)
Hop Monster – Full on American style IPA, full of Hops and flavour. Note, this is an intentionally cloudy beer!!! (5.4% abv – 500ml)
Sullivan Black: A rich, dark, strong and flavoursome porter in the European tradition; loaded with loads of intense dark malts .
Six Quarters: The name is a reference to the ‘six quarters’ within the Gilbert White Garden. This is an ale in the tradition of a Burton Golden Ale. Light, golden and heavily hopped. Drunk slightly chilled, this will remind you of drinking a light ale in a shaded area on a summer afternoon. 3.9% abv.
Gilbert’s Wass-Ale: Based on a Scottish Wee Heavy strong ale recipe. Often likened to drinking liquid Christmas Pudding this is flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, a little clove, bitter orange peel, Belgian Candy Rock sugar and finished in the fermenter with the addition of a bottle-of brandy! Usually available from late October until January. 8.5% abv.
Gilbert’s Chocolate Stout – This is a double chocolate oatmeal stout brewed with Easter in mind. Try to imagine liquid Belgian chocolate, flavoured with a little vanilla and a hint of bitterness which, unlike the usual chocolate egg, packs a bit of a punch at about 7.6% abv. As with Sullivan Black, will be available in smaller 330ml bottles. Look out for the presentation packs with a couple of bottles, a glass, chocolate eggs and maybe some other chocolate treats.
Brewing for Weddings
Couples getting married at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens can help brew their own beer for their wedding. They can choose any of our standard recipes, everything from the 3.9% abv Six Quarters (Burton style) golden ale to the 6.2% abv Zig Zag strong ale is a possibility! Due to the small production size, we can adjust the alcoholic strength of any of the beers to suit the wedding, 6.2% is definitely not recommended!
Prior to brewing we encourage couples to visit the brewery with up to four others for a ‘Sample Session’, where they can taste the beers and choose which they would like to help to brew. Then on the ‘Brew Day’, which normally begins at 9.00am, the couple, together with up to two others (over eighteen year’s old), can get stuck in and help to brew the beer for their day. This is both fun, innovative and informative, and a genuine unique talking point for discussing with guests on their special day.
On the day of your wedding the beer can then be served in a variety of different ways. Couples often choose to have a number of bottles with their own label on, which we produce on their behalf, and which clearly state their contribution to the brewing of the beer. In addition, we can produce beer in kegs that can be cooled – particularly nice on a warm summer’s day – served within the reception or from the horse box bar. For beer enthusiasts, we can supply your beer in 4.5 gallon or 9 gallon casks that are traditionally tapped. As wedding guests often have different tastes in beer, we can arrange to have up to three different ales ‘on tap’ ensuring that no one goes home disappointed.
Above all, we want to help make the wedding a day to remember and we will try to be as flexible as possible to meet their unique needs.
To contact the brewery email brewery@gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
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