A WINCHESTER brewery has moved to larger premises.

Alfred’s microbrewery was founded by husband and wife Steve and Isabelle Haigh in 2012.

Steve had a keen interest in beer since spending a fiver on his first home brew beer kit when he was 18. The first brew went well and he sold half the batch (with a deposit for the bottles). The seed for Steve’s brewing empire had been planted.

Twenty years on, ten of them as a professional brewer, Steve had a growing desire to brew his own style of beer in his home city.

So after finding suitable premises the brewery was officially launched in September 2012 at it's original site on Winnall Valley Road.

The brewery quickly gained local interest and as a result the business has grown successfully over the last five years largely thanks to local support and the flavoursome ale that Steve produces. Alfred’s Brewery is proud to have consistently won awards since its launch in 2012, most recently “Beer of the Festival” 2018 in Winchester.

Having quickly outgrown the original premises, the search was on for a larger home for the brewery.

Local businessman Keith Webb stepped in and adapted two units at Winnall Farm on Easton Lane.

Next, Steve ordered a 15 hectolitre brew house from Eco Brew Tech, Italy and in December 2017 six engineers fitted out the new kit over two weeks. This state of the art brewery is now capable of producing 2,600 pints per brew.

Now up and running Steve is not only able to produce larger quantities of beer, but also more of a selection.

Current beers are the regular Saxon Bronze, but also Ethelred, Winchester Pale Ale and Alefred. Yulefred is planned for Christmas.

Alfred's Brewery continues to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. The brewery gas supply is 100% renewable, all spent grain goes to a local farmer, compostable plastic is used for tastings and events, water usage is closely monitored and minimal waste goes to landfill.

Alfred's beer is sold in many local public houses including the Black Boy, The Swan (Barton Stacey), The Winchester Royal Hotel, The Fulflood Arms, The Queen Inn, The Swan Hotel (Alresford) and The Bugle Inn (Twyford).

Members of the public can also purchase beer from the brewery door on Friday evenings, Saturday mornings or by arrangement.

http://www.alfredsbrewery.co.uk/