Cuckoo's flown — here comes Blue Hills

January 25, 2007: The Driftwood Brewery, St Agnes, Cornwall, is brewing again for the first time since the new owners took over the attached hotel in April last year.

Previously the microbrewery produced a beer called Cuckoo — now there is a new ale called Blue Hills Bitter, named after the hills that form the backdrop to the brewery.

The 4.2% session bitter has been brewed by Pete Martin, an award winner with his own Bathtub brewery. He is now brewing exclusively for the Driftwood.

His aspiration is to create a range of ales, from a light hoppy golden beer for summer through to a dark winter porter.

"I'm looking forward to expanding the success I had with Bathtub using the high quality equipment available at Driftwood," said Peter. "Over the next year I want to develop a range of ales to complement the other guest ales already on the bar."

The first brew of Blue Hills was launched at the Cornwall CAMRA Christmas party, which was held at the Driftwood Spars. It was well received and some important feedback was acquired.

Blue Hills Bitter is only currently available at the Driftwood Spars. The Driftwood Brewery is also producing alcoholic ginger beer, which appears to be going down a storm and can't be made quick enough.

Bar and restaurant manager Damon Rutland came across a recipe on the internet and has been tweaking it until he is now happy with the product. He sees the market for the drink growing, with other outlets showing interest after its first public outing at CAMRA's Falmouth Beer Festival last year.

Damon said: "Furnace Ginger Beer derives its name from the old engine houses scattered around the Cornish coast, and at 4.5% it puts a fire in the belly. Very refreshing served over ice with a squeeze of lime or in a cocktail with dark rum and bitters. Try it at the Driftwood or the Townhouse at Falmouth."

Driftwood general manager Louise Treseder added: "These are exciting times for us at the Driftwood. We have so much untapped potential here and we are beginning to find ways to release it.

"Both Damon and Pete have been important additions to the team here and they are continuing to add to the many unique selling points we have at the Driftwood Spars. I'm already getting excited about our next project, which is to get my brother's prime beef from his farm on the plates in the restaurant."