Leominster’s Swan Brewery was set up in 2015 by Jimmy Swan, a brewer of over 25 years’ experience, with the aim to brew classic beer styles exceptionally well. The brewery is 10 barrels in size, a microbrewery, which means each batch is 2,880 pints of expertly brewed ale. Raw materials are chosen with care: about 85% of the hops used are grown in Herefordshire or Worcestershire; the brewing grain is grown in the east of England; a unique strain of yeast is used which is propagated and harvested each time.
Swan Brewery ales include their flagship Swan Gold 4.0%, refreshing golden ale, Ruffled Feathers 3.8% crisp, bright ale and Swan Blonde 3.7% Herefordshire hopped blonde ale. Look out for seasonal specials such as Black Swan 4.5% roasted coffee stout; Swan on the Wye 4.2% pale summer ale; Lemner Ore 4.1% deep golden ale and Winter Swanderland 4.8% warming winter ale. Their range of bottled ales has Arm Breaker IPA 6.0% quintessential English IPA topping the tree.
Customers for Swan Brewery cask ales are pubs, clubs, festivals and events in Herefordshire and neighbouring counties. They also offer party beer in 9, 18 or 36 pint packs for celebrations and events. The brewery shop is open on Fridays 9 am to 4 pm where you can watch the brewers at work; sample the ale and practise your darts skills. Bottled ales come in singles, gift packs and full cases plus there is a small selection of other ravishing local produce such as gin, cider, perry, oils and chutneys.
If you chance upon a monthly Tasting Day at the brewery you could be one of the first to taste a brand new ale – on the house. Head Brewer Jimmy Swan is known for his creativity in developing new beers all crafted using just those 4 ingredients of water, malt, hops and yeast.
2020’s Tasting Days will be every first Friday of the month, with extended hours compared to the normal 9am to 4pm on all other Fridays. Check the Swan Brewery website or Facebook page for more timings.
If you consider yourself a beer aficionado, sign up for the Swan Brewery Frequent Flyer Club on the home page of their website to keep in touch with brewery news and be rewarded with a branded glass, discounts on beer and a beer on your birthday.
