Adnams

Adnams plc, Sole Bay Brewery, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6JW (01502 727200) Website

Adnams claims to date back more than 650 years to the time when it was the brewhouse for Southwold's oldest inn, the Swan. George and Ernest Adnams gave their names to the business in 1872. On its website it states a list of core company values, such as: "We value our place in the community and work to enhance the quality of local life"; and "We encourage diversity of choice, experience an employment opportunity".

The company places great store in being as environmentally friendly as possible, launching a carnon neutral beer, East Green, in June 2008.

4REGULAR BEERS
Bitter (3.7%): Dry and bitter, with a hint of sulphur. (DN)
Broadside (4.7%): A deceptively drinkable premium bitter, with rich fruit cake aromas and well balanced malt and hop flavours.
Explorer (4.3%): The name is explained by the use of two hops from the New World, Chinook and Columbus. Very enjoyable. (DN)

4SEASONAL BEERS
Extra (4.3%): A copper coloured hoppy beer, with herbal and floral aromas. There is good malt balance leading to bitterness. (05-08-10)
May Day (5%), Old Ale (ABV not known), Oyster Stout (4.3%), Regatta (4.3%), Tally Ho (7%), Yuletide (4.5%)

4SPECIALS
Gunhill (4%): A well balanced dark ruby ale, with biscuit, fruit and chocolate notes coming through.
Pale Champion Ale (3.4%): A traditional pale ale re-created to an old recipe for J D Wetherspoon's 30th anniversary beer festival in autumn 2009. There's a spicy herbal tone on the palate, from Fuggles and Goldings hops.
William Godell Celebratory Ale (4.5%): A 2009 special brewed by Adnams brewster Belinda Jennings and a team of female volunteers to mark the 500th anniversary of businessman and landowner Godell bequeathing land to the town of Southwold. The recipe includes barley, oats and wheat and a small amount of modern Nelson Sauvignon hops. The beer is light and amber coloured beer with an aroma of tropical fruits and gooseberries. (brewery notes 22-08-09)

4DISCONTINUED / UNKNOWN STATUS
Barley Mow (5%)
Fisherman (4.5%): Rich, dark, malty, Christmas cakey; a beer very much in the old ale tradition. One of my favourite winter beers of 2004/5. (DN)
East Green (4.3%): Light golden in colour, with subtle citrus and grassy hop aromas, East Green is brewed to be carbon neutral, Adnams working in co-operation with experts from the University of East Anglia. (Brewery notes 02-06-08)
Innovation (6.7%): Hoppy and golden in colour, brewed with Maris Otter barley and malted wheat, and Styrian Goldings and Columbus hops. An assertive grapefruit and herbal bitterness is balanced by a subtle sweetness. (Brewery notes 12-12-07)
Lighthouse (3.4%): Developed from Adnams Champion Pale Ale, the amber beer delivers a crisp, refreshing taste. A well balanced, light, session beer.

Updated: August 5, 2010