Straight To The Pint - Spring 2018 - Issue 8

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F S T A U S T E L L B R E W E R Y
STRAIGHT
ISSUE 8 | SPRING 2018
ROYAL
ICING ON
THE CAKE
Proud winners of the Queen’s Award
HARE
BREWERY
OPENING

STRAIGHT
IN THIS ISSUE
PAGE 3
A ROYAL ICING ON THE CAKE
PAGE 4
AWARDS POURING IN
AT THE BREWERY
PAGE 5
MAKEOVER COMES UP TRUMPS
FOR THE CENTRAL
MAJOR REFURBISHMENT FOR
ICONIC PIER HOUSE HOTEL
PAGES 6-7
A BEER FOR ALL SAISONS
PROPER JOB? YES WE CAN
JOIN US ON THE
TRIBUTE BALLOON
PAGE 8
DESIGN SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
PAGES 9-12
HERE COMES THE HARE!
BATH ALES’ ‘HARE BREWERY’
OFFICAL OPENING
PAGE 13
TENANTS VOTE US TOP PUB
COMPANY... AGAIN
NEW FACES AT THE BREWERY
PAGES 14-15
DON'T MIND IF I DO!
PAGE 16
LUCY AND LUKE
SURF TO SUCCESS
TRIBUTE COMES UP STUMPS FOR
CORNWALL CRICKET
PAGE 17
ROWERS DELIGHT AT PILOT GIG
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
PAGE 18
CORNISH SCHOOLS
COOK UP A STORM
PAGE 19
AN X-RATED
BREWING EXPERIENCE
Welcome to the Spring/
Summer 2018 edition
of Straight to the Pint,
the magazine that’s brim-full of
the latest from the home of the
South West’s favourite beers,
pubs and hotels.
Following the worst that winter
could throw at us, the sun is
finally smiling down as we go to
print, bringing to mind the old
adage that spring is nature’s way
of reminding us that every day
is worthy of celebration. And
we’ve certainly got a whole lot to
celebrate in this issue, starting with
the grand opening of the brandnew
Hare Brewery in Warmley,
doubling the brewing capacity for
Bath Ales and ensuring there’ll be
enough Gem and Prophecy, as well
as new-brews Sulis and Lansdown,
to quench thirsts around Bristol
and Bath and the rest of Britain.
See our special supplement for
news of the Hare Brewery which
also features a tap room and visitor
centre, so be sure to drop by and
discover all the reasons why we
chose Bath Ales to join the wider St
Austell Brewery family.
In other great news, we’ve won the
Queen’s Award for Enterprise for
Sustainable Development, which
recognises our ongoing investment
in green brewing and distribution,
innovation and commitment to
the local and wider communities
through our grass roots to county
level sports sponsorship and
Charitable Trust donations.
With all this and much more,
including your chance to
win an exhilarating flight in
our very own Tribute hot air
balloon, here’s wishing everyone
a fantastic summer. Enjoy
yourselves responsibly!
Jeremy Mitchell
Marketing and communications director
jeremy.mitchell@staustellbrewery.co.uk
BACK COVER
HOTEL AND INNS COLLECTION
ST AUSTELL BREWERY
63 Trevarthian Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 4BY
T. 0345 2411122 E. info@staustellbrewery.co.uk
www.staustellbrewery.co.uk

A ROYAL
ICING
ON THE
CAKE
NEWS
We’re very proud to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise,
based on sustainable development.
The Queen’s Awards
for Enterprise are the
UK’s most prestigious
business awards celebrating
excellence. Our outstanding
results for sustainable
development mean that we will
hold the esteemed accreditation
for the next 5 years.
Chief executive James Staughton
said of the award, “Winning the
Queen’s Award is an enormous
honour for all of us as it is the
highest accolade that any business
in the UK can aspire to. The
exacting criteria of the awards
process acted as an excellent way
for us to confirm that we really
are doing as much as we possibly
can to make our operations as
sustainable and environmentally
friendly as possible.”
The award recognised many
factors, including our investment
in the reduction of water
consumption and also the energy
saving measures introduced,
enabling our Central Distribution
Centre to go grid-free for
half of 2016!
James added, “To us,
sustainability is second nature
and this award isn’t just about
the honour and prestige; just as
important is the added insight it
offers towards the futureproofing
of our business.”
The award described the Brewery
as ‘A Cornish brewer and pubcompany
that aims to deliver
distinctive customer experiences
through great products,
innovation and sustainable
business operations.’ We couldn’t
have said it better ourselves!
SPRING 2018 | 3

NEWS
STRAIGHT
AWARDS POURING IN AT THE BREWERY
We tasted success at the recent Bartenders’ Brand Awards with Underdog Session IPA
hitting gold for taste and value, Korev also gained gold for value. Korev and Bath Ales’
Cubic were both awarded silver for taste. Big Job and Hicks both performed well at the
CAMRA SW awards winning gold and bronze respectively in the ‘Real Ale in Bottles’
category. Trelawny and Tribute gained a gold and silver in ‘Bitters’ while Proper Job came
in with a bronze in the regional award. And it’s not just beer…
LICENSEE OF THE YEAR
FINALISTS REVEALED
Two of our pubs have
made it onto the six-strong
shortlist for the Licensee of
the Year competition run
by The British Institute of
Innkeeping (BII).
The Polgooth Inn and The
Ship at Pentewan both made
the final cut and the winner
will be announced at the BII’s
spectacular Summer Event at the
HAC Gardens on 5th June.
The competition rigorously
assesses standards from car
parks right through to cellars and
kitchens and each entrant is also
interviewed about all aspects of
their business.
Kim Barker from the Ship Inn
was delighted, “To have your
efforts and those of the entire team
recognised by the BII is such a
thrill; it’s because of everyone’s
efforts and it’s a real team prize.”
Kim Barker from the Ship Inn
pays tribute to her team effort
A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
We’re proud to have been
given the Healthy Workplace
Gold award for the second
year running.
Awarded by the Healthy
Workplace team at Cornwall
Council, we also gained ‘Mentor’
status thanks to many initiatives
introduced over the last year,
including the aptly named
HOPS (Health Optimisation
and Promotion Scheme),
monthly health promotions and
Mindfulness Toolkits.
Our occupational health
supervisor Chrissie Knight
commented, “Caring for the
workforce has always been
a priority for us and gaining
recognition at this level is
really pleasing.”
Find out more at
www.behealthyatwork.org
The team at the Polgooth Inn celebrate
being shortlisted for the BII award
FUNDRAISING ROCKS
Our very own Logan Rock Inn,
in Treen near Penzance, was
named as the first-ever Charity
Fundraising Pub of the Year.
The new award, organised
by PubAid and the All-Party
Parliamentary Beer Group attracted
entries from 69 pubs across the
country. Sponsored bike rides,
welly throwing, quizzes, litter picks
and auctions all raised money for
local charities and causes.
Co-founder of PubAid, Des
O’Flanagan said, “It’s hard to think
of a way of fundraising they haven’t
tried! They’re creative and tireless
in their support for local charities
and causes at the Logan Rock.”
Peter and Anita George from Logan Rock
Inn with Piers M Thompson, external
relations director, receive the award
4 | SPRING 2018

PUBS AND INNS
Lucy and Rob Brewer
at the Pier House
MAKEOVER COMES UP
TRUMPS FOR THE CENTRAL
The Central Inn, Newquay is open for business
following an extensive £250,000 investment.
The new-look pub now has a revamped ‘sports
bar’ area for fans wanting to see the latest events as
well as fresh, modern seating areas for socialising.
The Central also boasts a new, contemporary
restaurant area as well as the ever popular
‘nightclub zone’. There is also stylish signage and
branding to reflect the new-look Inn.
The place looks and feels like an
exciting and vibrant new venue
At a special reopening event, featuring DJs and
stilt walkers, delighted manager Paul Mulliner
commented, “We had a clear vision of what we
wanted the Central to offer for both locals and
visitors and the Brewery has come up trumps!
The place looks and feels like an exciting and
vibrant new venue and we hope everyone who
comes through the doors feels that too.”
For more information about the new offerings at the
Central, contact Paul, Nikki and the team on
01637 873810 or visit www.thecentralnewquay.co.uk.
MAJOR REFURBISHMENT
FOR ICONIC PIER HOUSE
The Pier House on the historic Charlestown
harbour has reopened following a £380,000
refurbishment to restore and modernise the 27
room inn, which started life as a farmhouse on the
harbour in the late 1800s.
The extensive project has involved a rework of
existing bar areas and a new bar at the core of the
building as well as improvements to the internal
and external dining areas. There is now greater
accessibility throughout and a new external terraced
seating area to take advantage of the unrivalled
harbourside location.
The refurbishment was project managed by the
Brewery’s Patrick Gribbin and Rebecca Groves from
Cardiff-based Design Management Partnership.
Patrick said, “We’re immensely proud of what we
have achieved at the Pier House. By increasing the
accessibility we’ve opened up the site to many more
people and allowed so much more opportunity
for guests to appreciate the amazing views
from the hotel.”
For information about the Pier House, including
bookings for dining and accommodation, visit
www.pierhousehotel.com.
SPRING 2018 | 5

BEER
STRAIGHT
JOIN US ON
THE TRIBUTE
BALLOON
The eagle-eyed among you
may have noticed that the
Tribute balloon has taken to
the skies again for the summer.
A BEER FOR ALL SAISONS
Marks & Spencer asked us to exclusively brew a brand
new beer, Cornish Saison (5.9% ABV), as part of their
permanent own-brand range.
Recently launched
nationwide in 330ml
cans, the Cornish Saison
(meaning ‘season’) is based on a
traditional southern Belgian style,
with added notes of black pepper
and citrus and gently spiced with
ginger, lemon and lime zest.
The new brew should
definitely hit the spot on those
(hopefully) warm summer
evenings ahead.
Brewing director, Roger
Ryman, said, “We’re proud
to have been selected by
Marks & Spencer to brew
Cornish Saison, a much-loved
traditional beer style, with
our own unique Cornish
twist on it.”
Following a wonderful flight that
took off from the Boconnoc Estate
on a spectacular sunny day in May,
we’re planning several flights across
the South West and are looking
forward to being part of the 2018
Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest
annual meeting of hot-air balloons
(August 9th to 12th). Tweet us
@StAustellBrew if you see it!
One special trip we are planning for
later in the year is to travel up through
Cornwall from the far west and up as
far as we can go in a day. You might be
able to join us on this journey through
the clouds. Visit the website www.
staustellbrewery.co.uk to find out how.
If you’d like information about
the Tribute balloon, contact our
partners at First Flight,
www.hotair-balloonrides.co.uk.
PROPER JOB? YES WE CAN
Proper Job, our award-winning Cornish IPA, is now
available in 330ml cans. The new six-packs, complete
with recyclable can holder, have launched exclusively
in Tesco stores nationwide.
The Proper beer (5.5%
ABV), one of the UK’s
first new wave of
modern-style IPAs, is already the
biggest selling premium bottled
IPA in the UK. Jeremy Mitchell,
marketing and communications
director commented, “We’re
delighted to be introducing
Proper Job in a convenient 330ml
can. It’s one of our most popular
and celebrated beers, and has
a loyal and growing following
across the country.”
6 | SPRING 2018

BEER
BEER HEADLINING
THIS SUMMER’S
FESTIVAL SEASON!
We’re excited to be quenching
your thirst at many festivals
and events:
1-3 JUNE
Great Estate Festival, Scorrier
House, Redruth, Cornwall
7-9 JUNE
Royal Cornwall Show,
Wadebridge, Cornwall
8-10 JUNE
Tunes in the Dunes,
Perranporth, Cornwall
15-17 JUNE
Goldcoast Oceanfest,
Croyde, Devon
6-7 JULY
Night Surf – UK Pro Surf,
Newquay, Cornwall
20-22 JULY
Bristol Harbourside Festival
27-28 JULY
Polzeath Beer Festival,
Polzeath, Cornwall
7-11 AUGUST
Great British Beer Festival,
Olympia, London
9-12 AUGUST
Bristol International
Balloon Fiesta
21-23 SEPTEMBER
Looe Music Festival,
Looe, Cornwall
6-7 OCTOBER
British Nationals Surfing,
Newquay, Cornwall
27-28 OCTOBER
Masked Ball, Helston,
Cornwall
SPRING 2018 | 7

INTEREST
STRAIGHT
DESIGN SPEAKS
FOR ITSELF
We recently challenged
students of sustainable design
at Falmouth University to
create a piece of pub or bar
furniture to support Tribute’s
new ‘quality speaks for itself’
strapline.
The brief explained that
the item would need to
provide ‘an enhanced
quality customer experience
through innovation, aesthetics,
design, craft work or the
materials used’ and with a
grand prize of £1000, as well
as the chance to showcase the
winning design at this year’s
Royal Cornwall Show, we got
some pretty innovative and
wonderful ideas!
After visiting the Brewery with
department head, Drummond
Masterton, the students set about
creating their masterpieces, with
a follow-up feedback session to
check that their projects were
both achievable and practical.
The judging team, including
brewery directors Piers
Thompson and Steve Worrall,
were treated to some amazing
work, including giant storytelling
chairs, in-glass souvenir chillers
and multiple use bar stool/
tables. For scalability, practicality,
design and pure fun, the final
prize was awarded to 21-year old
Drew Spathaky.
Drew’s special ‘Tribute Tray’,
using locally sourced, sustainable
materials allowed pints of Tribute
to be carried across a crowded
bar without fear of spillage. He
also added a special ‘phoneslot’,
designed for customers
to ‘park’ their phones and bar
games in the base to encourage
users to interact and enjoy each
other’s company.
Picking up his award, Drew said,
“This has been an amazing project
and I’m so thrilled to have won
it. It’s great to be able to work
with a real brand as a student and
we are all really thankful to the
Brewery for allowing us to have a
go at solving a real challenge for
the real world.”
8 | SPRING 2018

BEER
HERE COMES THE HARE!
The all-new ‘Hare Brewery’ has officially opened at the Bath Ales HQ, between Bath
and Bristol following a substantial investment by St Austell Brewery.
SPRING 2018 | 9

BEER
HERE COMES THE HARE!
Over 500 guests joined celebrations at the
brewery, which was officially opened in
May by Tarquin McDonald, chief executive,
Bath Rugby. To mark the occasion a bronze hare
statue, crafted by Cornish artist Hamish Mackie,
was unveiled – a symbolic gesture to mark the
coming together of Bath and Cornwall following the
purchase of Bath Ales by St Austell Brewery in 2016.
As the South West’s most sophisticated
and technologically advanced brew house,
it’s a project that we’re immensely proud of
Darren James, our senior brewer, said, “Opening
Hare Brewery – which we’ve built from the ground
up – is a very exciting moment for everyone
involved. Extra capacity means more beer for Bath
Ales’ drinkers including a wider range of styles on
the new equipment”
Fronted by flagship ale Gem, alongside the existing
stable of beers, the four-vessel facility means we can
also brew a bigger variety of exciting new beers,
including new IPA, Lansdown and our first ever
lager, Sulis.
We’ll be holding regular brewery tours for beer fans
to see the new kit and visitors can also pay a visit to
the new tap room.
James Staughton, chief executive, St Austell
Brewery, commented, “We’re delighted to be
up and running, brewing beer and welcoming
visitors to Hare Brewery. As the South West’s most
sophisticated and technologically advanced brew
house, it’s a project that we’re immensely proud of.”
Brewing director, Roger Ryman, who oversees
brewing and production at Bath Ales and St Austell
Brewery added, “From the very start of the project
we’ve all shared a clear vision for Hare Brewery:
to build one of the region’s most technologically
advanced and fully bespoke brewhouses. To
see this come to fruition today is a milestone
moment for us.”
Bath Rugby’s
Tarquin McDonald (left)
with St Austell Brewery’s
James Staughton at the Hare
Brewery official opening
10 | SPRING 2018

BEER
NEW! SULIS – THE ULTIMATE ENGLISH LAGER
Brewing a lager is a meticulous science. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned from the great lager brewers
of Germany to make a classic, bready and moreish lager then hopped it with exciting new hop varieties to
give it a unique fresh lemon aroma. Sulis is light and refreshing and with an abv of 4.2% (4.4% in cans) is a
perfect summer beer. Find out more about Sulis on the new look website: bathales.com.
HARE ON THE HILL
To celebrate the new brewery, a 50 x 25 metre hare
was hand painted by Bristol street artist (Gage
Graphics) on a farm hillside in Bathford, just a few
miles from the Bath Ales brewery.
ARTIST: GAGE GRAPHICS
The Hare stayed for a couple of weeks before the
environmentally-friendly paint dissolved and was
washed away by the rain. It was located by one of
the main commuter train lines into Bath and set
tongues wagging.
SPRING 2018 | 11

BEER
HERE COMES THE HARE!
WEBSITE LAUNCH
As part of the opening of the Hare
Brewery we have also launched our
brand new website – bathales.com
The aim was to create a more beer-focused
website to showcase the brewery and our
extended Bath Ales beer range. The website is
image-led, vibrant and – we hope – an exciting
digital shop window for promoting Bath Ales to
trade customers and beer drinkers alike.
For more information about Bath Ales and its beer range, tours
and taproom opening times, visit: www.bathales.com.
You can also follow us on social media via
Twitter: @bathales Facebook: bathales Instagram: @bathales
12 | SPRING 2018

TENANTS
VOTE US
TOP PUB
COMPANY...
AGAIN
NEW FACES AT
THE BREWERY
We’re pleased to be welcoming two new faces to
our senior management team.
NEWS
We’ve been named the UK’s
best tenanted pub company
for the sixth time in a row.
The award is made extra
special as it’s voted for by
the tenants themselves.
This year’s survey by
independent food and drink
research agency, M&C Allegra
interviewed 1,200 tenants across
13 pub companies across the
UK. Special mention was made
on our great relationships and
support to our tenanted estate in
terms of business controls and
point of sale equipment.
We scored a very healthy overall
score of 8.73 out of 10, with
day-to-day dealings with the
Brewery rated at 8.92 out of 10,
up 13% on 2017.
According to Steve Worrall, retail
director, the success of the tenant-
Brewery relationships stems from
listening to them to find out what
they really need and sharing
best practice.
Steve said, “We are delighted to
have come out top in the latest
Tenant Track survey and to have
again increased our scores. We
continue to roll out initiatives
and look to provide the best
support possible to tenants and
their teams to help promote best
retail practices.”
New people director Tamsyn Hawkins joins the Brewery to ensure
we have the best possible people working to deliver and grow the
business. Tamsyn brings 20 years’ industry experience and as part
of her new role she will oversee our training and development
centre, helping to develop the next generation in the licensed trade.
Tamsyn said, “I’m thrilled to be starting in my new role at St
Austell Brewery. Being from Cornwall, I’m excited to be joining
such a successful and diverse west country organisation.”
Meanwhile, new procurement director Andrew Holden has joined
to ensure our supply chains are really working to help maintain
and push further growth for the Brewery. Andrew is already a
familiar face to us after spending the last decade in a similar role
at our near neighbours, the Eden Project. During this time Andrew
was responsible for developing our partnership with Eden Project
to supply Eden inspired beers from the Small Batch Brewery and
also our sponsorship of the Eden Sessions.
Andrew said, “St Austell grew to be the largest individual supplier
to Eden and it was obvious to me that with its award-winning
beers and professional team, sales growth was happening at an
unprecedented level. My aim is to harness that growth by gaining a
full understanding of the supply chain, apply intelligent solutions
and gain best value for the Brewery”
Welcome aboard Tamsyn and Andrew!
SPRING 2018 | 13

INTEREST
STRAIGHT
14 | SPRING 2018

DON’T MIND IF
I Do!
INTEREST
When Derbyshire couple Jay and Ali Keily decided to tie the knot, they knew exactly what
the theme was going to be, a Tribute to their two main loves – each other and beer!
Jay first encountered Tribute at his local, The
Greyhound in Belper, as he explains, “I went out
for a beer with my friend Winston (who went
on to be my best man) and he pointed out Tribute,
telling me it was lovely. I ordered
myself a pint and it instantly became a
favourite. Ali and I went out soon after
and discovered Proper Job. That then
became our absolute favourite beer!”
The couple began visiting Cornwall
regularly, getting engaged on
Porthgwidden Beach in St Ives in 2016.
They paid their first visit to St Austell
Brewery the following day and it was
here that the idea of a Brewery-themed
wedding took shape
“Over the years, we have visited
many breweries around the country
but our visit to St Austell was by
far the best we had experienced.
The friendly family brewery feel
really shone through and the
lady conducting the tour was so
passionate about the brewery and
its values and history that we couldn't
help but be impressed.”
“As we got a little tipsy sampling all the beers at the
Brewery, it just seemed an obvious thing to try to
incorporate it into our special day.”
As part of the big day celebrations at Tregenna
Castle, different St Austell beers were used as table
names, the cake was based around a St Austell
Brewery local and there was even a mini beer
festival as part of the evening entertainment.
Jay explained why the couple were
so keen to include us as part of
their wedding celebrations, “Often
with a brewery, you get one or
two particularly nice beers and
the rest are either pretty much the
same or average. But St Austell
have so many really good quality
and versatile beers. From now
on, whenever we have a pint
of a St Austell beer, we will be
reminded of our wedding day and
happy memories.”
Different St Austell
beers were used as table
names, and the cake
was based around a St
Austell Brewery local
So what’s the recipe for a perfect
marriage? According to Ali, it’s all about love,
respect, trust, fun, laughter and quality time
together with a Proper beer!
SPRING 2018 | 15

NEWS
STRAIGHT
LUCY AND LUKE SURFING TO SUCCESS
The national surfing
elite descended
upon Watergate Bay
in May for the Korev
sponsored, English
National Surfing Championships. The finals day saw some amazing
Cornish surf and some equally thrilling riding, with the men’s final
described by some as one of the most progressive, high quality and
electrifying finals to come out of England in decades. Korev ambassadors
and team riders Lucy Campbell from Woolacoombe and Newquay’s
Luke Dillon made some serious waves with Lucy retaining her English
Women’s title and Luke coming a close second in the men’s event.
Picking up the Women’s Open trophy, Lucy said, “It’s a real thrill to
win this title again. While we travel year-round to compete in some of
the most amazing waters, it’s still an incredible feeling to come back to
the UK and go up against people you know and who you’ve grown up
with in competition.” The weekend had a typically relaxed vibe, with
DJs on hand to provide some great tunes and Korev on tap to quench
the bank holiday thirst.
TRIBUTE COMES
UP STUMPS FOR
CORNWALL CRICKET
Our partnership with
Cornwall Cricket is set
to continue this summer and
will see Tribute remaining
as the official beer of
Cornwall Cricket.
We have also pledged a
financial commitment to help
grassroots clubs who sign up
across Cornwall with day-today
running costs.
Simon Menneer, Cornwall
Cricket CEO, said, “We’re
delighted to be able to
continue our relationship
with St Austell Brewery and
to bring our community
cricket clubs some muchneeded
financial support.”
16 | SPRING 2018

ROWERS DELIGHT AT PILOT
GIG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
INTEREST
We crowned our longstanding partnership with the Cornish Pilot Gig Association by signing
up as a key sponsor for this year’s World Pilot Gig Championships on the Scillies.
The Championships are
a real highlight of the
rowing calendar and
upwards of 160 boats from across
the UK, Euope and the USA
converged on the islands for the
first weekend in May. Not bad for
an event which started in 1990
with just 19 local boats!
Tribute was the official beer of
the weekend, providing some
much needed refreshment in the
ever popular ‘Tunnel canteen’.
We welcomed contestants and
spectators too with Tribute
banners adorning the town quay.
Speaking of the sponsorship deal,
Jeremy Mitchell, our marketing
and communications director
said, “We have been proud
supporters of pilot gigs for well
over a decade now, so to become
official joint sponsors of the World
Championships is the natural
progression of our commitment.”
The Cornish Pilot Gig has a long and
hard-working history. In the early
1800s there would have been around
200 gigs around the Cornish coastline.
They used to help larger vessels to
navigate a safe passage around the
treacherous coastline and also help
rescue those in danger. The Pilot
Gig was also the transport of choice
many smugglers!
Shortly after World War II, the
working life of the pilot gig
diminished, but racing for pleasure
soon became popular and continues to
grow and grow!
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
RESULTS
Men’s Trophy
1st Looe in Currah’s Pride
2nd Caradon in the Ann Glanville
3rd Falmouth in Black Rock
Women’s Trophy
1st Caradon in the Ann Glanville
2nd Falmouth in Black Rock
3rd Mounts Bay in Kensa
Terry Ward, committee advisor
for the Championships added,
“We simply couldn’t handle
every aspect of the event
without some further external
sponsorship. The first people that
we approached were St Austell
Brewery and it quickly became
obvious that we were pushing
against an open door”
SPRING 2018 | 17

FOOD
STRAIGHT
CORNISH SCHOOLS COOK UP A STORM
We recently worked with four local schools on the inaugural Cornish School Chef competition.
The competition aimed to
encourage budding young
chefs to develop their
skills and discover more about a
career in hospitality.
After three gruelling rounds
featuring challenges such as
‘starters for under a fiver’ and
delicious ‘locally sourced main
courses’ as well as special chef
mentoring sessions, the budding
master chef was crowned.
Thirteen-year-old Garnet Scott of
Roseland Acadamy was named
as the Cornish School Chef of
the Year, at the finals held at
Cornwall College.
The Brewery Visitor Centre Head
Chef Kevin Rouse, also one of
the chef mentors, was impressed,
saying, “All of us professionals
were amazed at the quality of
all of the entries, so picking the
finalists was one of the hardest
things we’ve had to do.”
"This has been the best day
of my life. Cooking in a
real, professional kitchen
with chefs from St Austell
Brewery was great fun."
Following her victory Garnet was
able to showcase her talents by
cooking a three-course awards
dinner for selected guests at the
Brewery Visitor Centre. Diners
included parents, teachers,
industry representatives, the
local media, as well as all the
chef mentors including Garnet’s
mentor Richard Jenkins, head
chef from The Globe, Topsham.
Garnet said, “This has been the
best day of my life. Cooking in
a real, professional kitchen with
chefs from St Austell Brewery
was great fun. I can’t wait to be
back in a professional kitchen.”
Garnet Scott,
Cornish School
Chef of the Year
Garnett cooks a three-course
meal with the chef mentors
18 | SPRING 2018

AN
X-RATED
BREWING
EXPERIENCE
We let Cornish journalist
(and beer aficionado) Darren
Norbury and our veteran
brewer Merv Westaway loose
in the small batch brewery.
The result was a brand new
batch of XXXX Mild.
BEER
???
The two beer lovers went
about creating the classic
dark mild, with an added
sprinkling of vanilla pods,
demerara sugar and caramel.
The result was a complex, low
gravity, mildly hopped beer,
with a sweet twist. and a very
drinkable abv of 3.6%.
Darren, who is editor of
beertoday.co.uk and specialises in
beer told us a bit more about the
day and also his love of ale:
Why did you decide to
brew XXXX Mild?
DN: Roger Ryman, St Austell's
head brewer, knows I've always
been a fan of XXXX Mild. It was
a no-brainer when he asked
me to come along and help
brew a new batch.
What are the special features of
Milds and XXXX Mild?
DN: Milds are generally lightly
hopped, with malt taking the
starring role. You can have
speciality milds too, which this
version of XXXX Mild is, with its
addition of liquorice and vanilla.
How did you discover your
love for beer? Was it love
at first sip?
DN: I didn't get into real ale
until the mid-1990s. I’d been
drinking lager and faux-
Irish nitro bitters before then.
Fortunately, I saw the light!
What's the next beer trend / beer
news to look out for?
DN: I can see brewers trying
their hand at porters and more
mid-range stouts (there are
already a lot of strong, aka
imperial stouts around).
Your favourite beer
style and why?
DN: If pushed, I'd probably go for
a traditional British IPA,
or an ESB (Extra Special /
Strong Bitter).
Your favourite St Austell beer?
DN: Proper Job IPA! It's a great
showcase for American hops,
but has decent malt balance,
too. Best from a chilled bottled,
in my opinion.
For more information about
Small Batch Beers go to
www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/
smallbatchbrews.
SPRING 2018 | 19

SENNEN COVE | ST IVES | PORTHLEVEN | NEWQUAY | ST AUSTELL | PADSTOW | FALMOUTH | TOPSHAM | BRISTOL
UNIQUE INNS AND HOTELS IN IDYLLIC
LOCATIONS ACROSS THE SOUTH WEST
You can really make a night of it with St Austell
Brewery when you book a stay in one of our
charming Inns. Imagine waking up to fantastic
coastal or country views and tucking into a hearty
breakfast – the perfect start to your day ahead …
Call us on 0345 2411133, email
reservations@staustellbrewery.co.uk or
visit our website for our latest special offers.
www.westcountryinns.co.uk
Located across prime West Country locations, our
selection of properties has something to suit every
traveller. Whether you're looking for a rural retreat
in the depths of the country, a luxury adventure
on the coast path or a romantic hideaway near
the beach, tap into our years of experience and
passion for making every one of your stays with
us a best ever.
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