There can’t be many British breweries who are celebrating their 229th birthday!
But back in 1795, when George III was king, Pitt the Younger was PM and The Duty on Hair Powder Act came into force, Elgood and Sons was founded on the banks of the river Nene in Wisbech (pronounced Whizz-beech), Cambridgeshire.
The North Brink brewery was probably the first classic Georgian brewery to be built outside London and while it’s imposing now, it must have been unbelievable back in the 18th century. The Grade II listed building was bombed during both World Wars with the cellar doubling up as an air raid shelter!
The company is still run by the Elgood family and ownership is now onto the 5th generation, with Belinda and Jenny as directors and Mr. and Mrs. Nigel Elgood living at Brewery House, next door. Robin Hotson, the Estates Manager has been working on the team for 46 years.
Some of the brewery equipment is over 100 years old and the head brewer only uses malted barley from local suppliers and the water comes from underground aquifers where it is filtered through chalk lands.
Elgood’s are justifiably proud of their reputation for making traditional beers such as Warrior, the 5.5% ESB and the SIBA Gold winner, Black Dog Mild. Did you know they also produce a range of sour ales using a ‘coolship’, a sort of giant open top pan, common in lambic brewing?
We’re sure you’ll enjoy savouring the 229 years’ experience that goes into every bottle of Elgood’s beer. Drink on…….
