The Long Man brewery in Litlington has been set up by Stephen Lees and farmer friend Duncan Ellis, who grows 1000 acres a year of the crop. “My big passion is cask ale,” said Lees, who is also the boss of Eastbourne drinks wholesaler HT White. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the last 15 years.”
The pair have installed a purpose-made 20-barrel plant, made by Lancashire’s Johnson Brewing Design, in a barn on Ellis’ farm.
Long Man, which is named after a giant figure carved into a nearby hill, will produce three beers initially; a 3.8%abv light golden hoppy beer, a 4% Sussex-style best bitter, and a 4.5% bronze-coloured fruity brew. Monthly specials are also planned. Lees said the beers should be in pubs by the third week of April. The beer names are under wraps until then.
As well as the very-locally-produced barley, Long Man will mainly use English hops, with a few international varieties thrown in for good measure.
Jamie Simm, currently at Royal Tunbridge Wells Brewing Company, will join as brewer on 1 February. Two master brewers are helping the team perfect their beers; Ellis declined to name them. Lees praised his fellow Sussex brewers for being so helpful. “Every single one has been nothing but positive.”
Lees has a head start when it comes to getting sales off the ground; his family’s wholesale business currently supplies 1300 pubs with beer from other producers, selling around 3000 9-gallon casks a month. He has already secured guest ale slots for Long Man ales through reciprocal deals with a number of pub companies.
The pair will be targeting freehouses and have joined SIBA’s direct delivery scheme. Longer term, they will bottle beers and seek off-trade listings. Click here for the brewery's website.
Rebecca Evans
23rd January 2012
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
