West Berkshire Brewery


West Berkshire Brewery is a microbrewery in Yattendon, Berkshire, England, founded in 1995 by husband and wife Dave and Helen Maggs in a brickworks shed in Frilsham.

History

The brewery was founded in the summer of 1995 in a dilapidated building behind the Pot Kiln in Frilsham, from the Yattendon site. Within the first year of operations, the brewery won their first award.

Expansion

By 2000, the business had outgrown the original site and so opened a second unit in Yattendon, thus increasing capacity to 25 barrels per week. However, this proved insufficient and in 2006 more fermenters were installed, increasing yield by 220%. The Frilsham plant ceased operations in April 2007.
In 2005, the brewery acquired their first pub, the Rising Sun at Stockcross. In 2007, the pub won West Berkshire CAMRA's pub of the year award.
David Bruce, founder of the Firkin pub chain, became a director in 2013 and is chairman of the company.

Beers

The company produces a range of beers, including Maggs Magnificent Mild.

Awards

The company has received a number of SIBA and CAMRA local beer festival awards.
YearBeer NamePrizeCategoryCompetition
1995Good Old BoyOverall WinnerBeer of the FestivalCAMRA White Horse Branch Beer Festival
1997Dr Hexter's HealerRunner-upBeer of the FestivalCAMRA Northamptonshire Branch Beer Festival
2002Good Old BoyGold MedalBest BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Good Old BoySecond Reserve ChampionOverallSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMild and PorterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Mr Chubb's Lunchtime BitterSilver MedalStandard BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2002Dr Hexter's HealerSilver MedalStrong AleSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2003Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMild and PorterSIBA National Beer Competition
2003Full CircleSilver MedalBest BitterCAMRA Great British Beer Festival
2004Maggs Magnificent MildOverall WinnerBeer of the FestivalBracknell Blues and Real Ale Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMildCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildThird placeOverallCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2005Maggs Magnificent MildGold MedalMildSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Maggs Magnificent MildBronze MedalOverallSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Good Old BoySilver MedalBest BitterSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2005Dr Hexter's Wedding AleThird placeBest BitterNorwich Beer Festival
2006Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalMildSIBA National Beer Competition
2006Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalMildCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2006Old Father ThamesBronze MedalLight BittersSIBA South East Region Beer Competition
2007SkiffGold MedalStandard BitterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2007Full CircleBronze MedalPremium BitterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2007Mash TunBronze MedalBest BitterCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalBest Local BeerCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Mr Chubb's Lunchtime BitterGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2008Maggs Magnificent MildSilver MedalIn CategoryCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2009Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalBest Local BeerCAMRA Reading Branch Beer Festival
2009Dr Hexter's HealerGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA London and South East Regional competition
2009Good Old BoyGold MedalIn CategoryCAMRA London and South East Regional competition