WANTSUM BREWERY Breweries supplying Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Page Updated:- Sunday, 07 March, 2021.

LIST

BREWERIES

Paul Skelton

Wantsum Brewery

Unit 22

Sparrows Way

Hersden

Canterbury

Phone 08450 405980

Above shows the humble premises that houses the Wantsum brewery. (Photograph by Paul Skelton, 21 November 2009.)

To date (22 November 2009) this is Kent's newest brewery, albeit a micro brewery and capable of producing a maximum of 72 firkins a week (a firkin is a fourth of a barrel, nine gallons or 72 pints.)

Set up by James Sandy in October 2009, he is intending to name the beers after pivotal events in Kent's history. They will include "1381" (named after the date of the Peasants' Revolt), "Turbulent Priest" (in honour of martyred Archbishop Thomas Becket) and "Black Pig" a dark stout, the name for the ships of the Spanish Armada, whose wreckage was washed up on the coast near Deal after they were sunk by the English fleet.

As time progresses the above beers will also be available in bottles.

From the Dover mercury, 29 October, 2009.

One hop from Pfizer manager to whole new career with beer.

A FORMER manager with Pfizer is going from strength to strength in his new career as a brewer.

James Sandy, who lives in Deal Road, Sandwich, made the career change into brewing earlier this year, after 16 years at the drugs giant, latterly as head of European and Asian development operations. He is now head brewer at the Wantsum Brewery, based at Hersden, near Canterbury.

James, a father of five, said: "I took redundancy in May and decided to give brewing a real go as it's always been a passion of mine."

Several east Kent pubs are now taking delivery of James's latest brew, Fortitude, an amber coloured bitter. These include the "Red Cow" at Moat Sole, Sandwich, the "Green Berry" in Canada Road, Deal, "Blakes" in Castle Street, Dover, and the "Crown Inn" at Finglesham.

David Wilson, manager of the "Red Cow," said: "Fortitude tastes like a nice pint to me. I would say it's medium strength and very hoppy. It should go down well with our customers."

Three other brews from the Wantsum Brewery are also on the production line, including an IPA called 1381, due to be introduced in 10 pubs across Dover, Deal, Sandwich and Canterbury in the next couple of weeks.

James, 44, said: "All being well, all four of my brews should soon be available in pubs.

"Along with Fortitude and 1381, there's Turbulent Priest, a coffee and chocolate flavoured ale, and Black Pig, which is adapted from an original imperial Russian porter recipe.

"They're all at various different stages of the brewing process at the moment, but 1381 will be available in a couple of weeks time."

• For more information on The Wantsum Brewery, call James on 0845 0405980 or email wantsumbrewery@googlemall.com

Above photo shows James Sandy giving a talk about his brewery to members of CAMRA.

All pictures above taken by Paul Skelton, 21 November 2009.

Latest information tells me that the brewery are going to move in Spring to a larger premises that will allow a 20 barrel plant to be installed, at Kent Barn, St Nicholas Court Farm, Court Road, CT7 0TP.

In 2019 they opened a tap room title the "Wantsum Brewery Tap" at the brewery in St Nicholas at Wade.

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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