Return of The Leg

Hello Lovelies. So what's been happening in the cathederal of brewing known to many as that quirky brewery in the funny shaped building in Piddlehinton? Well quite alot really.

First and foremost is the long awaited arrival of this years' evolution of Legwarmer. In true Piddle style we did some constructive beer drinking, much pontification, a fair bit of head scratching, two arm wrestles and the best of 27 paper-scissors-stones and it was all agreed we would up the amount of ginger! Our noble leader was a bit sceptical about this dynamic move in direction as "you need to be able to go out and drink 8 pints of it" I took these bold words in their true literal meaning and at the first oportunity embarked on this thankless task at the Sydling Springs Pre-school fundraiser Barn Dance at Nether Cerne. I can faithfully report back that a gallon of this beautiful brew is no problem whatsoever to quaff. In fact I could have squeezed a few more pints in if I had some more time and didn't indulge quite so much on the Home made Pasties. All in a days work for Cheif Brewmeister at Piddle world. The thing that sets Legwarmer apart from many "Beers with Ginger" is the unique malt base. We have done that old chestnut of looking back at history to go forward and push the boundaries in current craft brewing. The secret to the magnificent straw like appearance that glows golden like a hallowed chalis is.... Now I'm playing with a double edges sword here, on one hand I want to shout from the roof tops about my extra special malt base and on the other hand I want to keep my cards close to my chest in case I am the victim of the ultimate flattery and that being immitation, and with the lack of a third hand (one that I am sure Rob thinks we have with our new cleaning regime) I am boldly going to put it out there... And the secret to my success is.... Maize. There you go I've gone and said it. Maize to brew with is simply a pleasure I can only begin to tell you. The colour is like magical gold, not that dull old antique gold you find on expensive oil paintings in the Louvre but brightest gold from cartoon pirates treasure chests. Looking over the malt sacks your face lights up like someone is holding a thousand buttercups under your chin. In the mash tun it doesnt lose much sparkle and what always startles me is the sheer appearance the first runnings into the underback. I add my hand processed ginger into the boil and then in true bisto kid style revel in the wafts of aroma eminating all over the surrounding area. This first brew was especially aromatic throughout the enitire brewery and office, as I had a slight blockage up the chimney. Not to worry, double gloves, safety hoody and some renegade chimney engineering Fred Dibnah would have been proud of, the blockage was cleared and the ginger mist subsided and the whole of enterprise park could once again share the enjoyment of the harmonious notes of aromatic beautifulness. Even the Crendons smoking posse gathered on the lawn remarked how lovely it was! You can now enjoy this unique ale in the surrounding pubs and bars on draught by the pint load, as the beer gods intended.

It was also Clare's birthday a few weeks back, not wanting this auspicious occassion to go unnoticed, I gave our friend James O Neill a call at Wessex FM. We had a quick chat and I told him Clare was 40! and could his listeners give the Piddle Van a flash and a wave to celebrate this monumental day with her. The thing is she isn't 40 infact she is only just in her 30's.... This whole gag was shaping up really well for me throughout the day, until that magical moment the sound clip of Me was played on the airwaves in the van to our birthday girl, I think the word most commonly used is "busted", lets just put it this way when she got back to the brewery I displayed a turn of speed more suited to a man younger than my 42 years. Happy Birthday Clare we don't know where we would be without you xx Finally the "Brewers Reserve" collection is shaping up well for up and coming festivals, "The Taste of Paradise" coconut thunderbox is coming on nicely. As is the hint of vanilla. I hope to experiment with some Elderflower in the next week or so as there is an abundance in the hedgerows and as we aren't a city center brewery and are nestled amongs the green rolling hills of deepest Dorset I feel it would be rude not to. Until next time folks Happy Piddling Vic the Brewer.