History of the Brewery

I met Geoff at Hartridges, where I was working. Geoff was one of the Hartridge brothers and keen to set up a brewery I offered to take care of the electrical work. In doing so I met Dave Yates, now a good mate. A lot of tips were picked up from watching them at work.

By now I was hooked on real ale in a big way, and as a member of CAMRA went on several trips with the group to different types of brewery plant.

At this time I got to know Gill and Graham Stone of Portchester, who had originally started brewing in their garage, we talked about me borrowing the plant to learn how to brew commercially for myself. I also met up with my old mate Dave and he very generously offered the same. So I produced a few sample brews commercially and the responses I received were amazing - I had found my calling.

The reality now was setting up my own brewing facilities. I started brewing from my converted garage while still working

full time, but once I realised the business could really take off I started to look into finding larger premises in order to brew full time.

As with most things, money was a problem, but my wife, Wendy, knowing how much I needed to do this, offered to help with some of the legacy left by her mother, who I know would have wholeheartedly approved of ‘Stumpys Brewery’!

I found a business unit in March 2004 - on a chicken farm of all places! The unit had previously been used as the rearing shed for the chicks. As you can imagine there was a lot of work involved in transforming the interior but with the help of some willing family members it was relatively painless.

I sourced a plant from Porter Brewing Company Ltd. in Lancashire, they fitted the main vessels at the beginning of May 04. I wasted no time producing the first brew, on 11th May 2004. ‘Old Stumpy’, of course.

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