Welbeck: New-look team for brewery ahead of busy year

Welbeck Abbey Brewery head brewer Claire Monk is taking six months off on maternity leave

Head brewer and general manager Claire Monk is expecting her first child and is now on maternity leave for six months.

Hannah Bolton, who will be acting general manager in her absence, commented: “We all wish Claire and husband Tom well for the new arrival very soon.

“Unfortunately, we are also having to say goodbye to assistant brewer, Joe, as he has moved on to an apprenticeship with a civil engineering firm in Sheffield.

“He will be missed, however, we wish Joe all the best in his new career.

“Some of you may now have met our new full-time delivery driver, Peter, who has settled into brewery life very well.

“Finally we welcome Tom Roe as assistant brewer.

“He is already enjoying learning to brew on a large scale after tinkering on his home brew kit.

“Our newest venture, Portland House, based on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, has settled into its surrounds nicely and the pub is preparing to start promoting tasting evenings in the very near future.

“It’s a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by so drop in and say hello if you find yourself in the area.”

The brewery’s January specials are out now, led by brewery favourite Kaiser, a 4.1 per cent lager-style pale brewed with German hops for an authentic herbal aroma and cereal malt tones.

The brewery’s other monthly special for January is Seven Sisters pale ale at 4.2 per cent.

Alison continued: “It has a refreshing lemon barley citrus flavour, giving way to light bitterness.

“It was brewed to celebrate a medieval oak tree on the estate, which sprung seven trunks- known locally as the Seven Sisters.

“February specials are also planned and the hugely successful Savoy Hill (USA pale) and Firehouse Red (hoppy red rye) will be making a return.

“We’re also currently in the process of sampling and racking our second batch of Lady A, an abbey dubbel-style ale which is currently wood-cask maturing in the tunnels under Welbeck Abbey itself.

“News of the release date will be on the brewery’s Facebook and Twitter pages.”