So here was a real treat. December 2013, squeezed in between visits to the relatives and an evening family ‘do’, we managed a trip to Theakstons Brewery
Note the festive red trousers in readiness for the evening….and yes, Julie did come too….
Started at the top of the Brewery building with an introduction to the brewing ingredients. A bit coy mind you as XB they said had 6 different types of hop, and they only showed 3.
Did reveal a 10% torrifed wheat content. Then to the grist mill bought second hand in the 1940’s apparently…
And, once you have the grist its the mash tun……. held at a slightly cooler than usual 62C. Probably explains why Theaksons best is a pretty ‘thin’ bitter.
..emptied by men in waders and shovels – once the wort is drained off of course. And wheres the wort – in the Copper (Boiler) of course.
… again, another vessel cleaned out by getting in. Hot boiled liquor then run of into the hopback…..
Then, its off to the fermenting vats – 9 feet deep apparently, despite being only 4 feet high.
Three days at 19C and then 3 days at 13C. Top crop the yeast, added by the bucketful. An so onto racking…
where they add isinglass finings, and a hoplet….
and then the delivery times – only a few days after filling the barrels they are out in the pub cellars to settle and clear. Once the first beer is drawn and there’s air getting in to replace the liquid – the barrel lasts just 5 days.
And so, to the best bit – sampling the final product – well seven of them. 
Left to right: Best Bitter, XB, Lightfoot, Black Bull, Old Peculiar, Masham Ale and in the middle, Christmas Ale.
Festive jumpers, don’t you know. On the bar pumps in a different order !
An excellent visit, if you are anywhere near, do go. It is a working brewery and you can go round during the week when the Tun, Copper and Hop back are active. Details here http://www.theakstons.co.uk/Visitors/Daytime-Tours/.
Its in the same village as the Black Sheep Brewery, run by the cast out son, Paul Theakston, and IMHO, brewing better beer. So we called in there as well.
You can visit that Brewery as well, much better for the children as the tour lead plays ‘shepherd’ … details at http://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/visitor-centre/brewery_tours/, although the family might be a bit beered out with two tours in one day.