Everards

When you think of regional, family brewers, the main one that comes to mind is Fullers. However there is another one that has been going on for over a hundred years, that is just as big (if not bigger) and is still owned within the family. That brewery is Everards. Started in Southgate Street, Leicester, in 1849 by William Everard, Everards became so popular that in 1892 he decided to move the brewery to Burton on Trent using the famous Burton water. The brewery continued within the family and in 1979 Tony Everard moved the brewery back to Leicester. The new brewery and office block was opened in 1985 and it was expanded in 1990 so that all Everards ales could be brewed in Leicestershire as they originally were. It is now situated in Castle Acres, Narborough, south of the City and was the place us intrepid Birmingham CAMRA members visited a few months ago.

As a word of warning; if you are planning on visiting the brewery DO NOT get off at Narborough rail station as we did. The brewery is no where near it! It’s a shame as Narborough village seemed a nice place to have one. Luckily, after a bus ride, the brewery was in sight. It was in the middle of a trading estate and as we learnt, all the land surrounding it was once owned by the Everards family but they sold it for development. The first thing so striking is how industrial and modern the brewery looks both inside and out. Especially in comparison to Fullers which is in stone bricked buildings by the Thames. This is not a problem when you realise how much they have to brew to satisfy their own pubs, the free trade and the bottle beer market.

When at the brewery, both on the tour and in the hospitality suite, we were made very welcome by the friendly Pat [West Midlands rep for Everards] and Lewis [our tour guide]. With free beer abound we just couldn’t say no! There was superb beer before and after the tour. I will be honest here and say that normally I would not drink Everards beer. It is not due to their quality, it is just my palate. However I will admit the pints of Sunchaser (4%), their straw coloured, dry, hoppy, session beer, was excellent. It is hard to describe in this article their brewery. Just like Purity Brewery, which is on a farm, it has to be seen. It is really good to see a family, regional brewer which embraces modernity, yet also keeps brewing traditional, diverse ales, that many national breweries should take note of. Alas, after the tour and all the beer, the Everards experience had to come to an end. Luckily there were plenty of other pubs and beer in Leicester which would mean our throats wouldn’t go dry!
The city centre was only a short journey away and, because this would be the first time I had drunk in Leicester, I was excited. We visited the delights of The Shakespeare’s Head, The Criterion, and The Ale Waggon and had plenty of ale other than Everards. Many of the pubs [in my opinion] were to be highly commended. It was a shame as the night drew on because home beckoned. Back to Brum we went. After this I really want to go back and explore the city. I would suggest if you have a free day to do also.

As much as the city of Leicester offers some good ale, it was the Everards Brewery tour that made us go there. And what a tour it was! It was so interesting to see how ale was brewed on such a large scale with care and attention. Huge thanks must go out to all those at Everards who made us feel so accommodated. Once again it was another great trip organised by Birmingham CAMRA.

By Joe Roberts