Fans of real ale will be able to buy their favourite tipple direct from the brewers, thanks to a grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES).
Teddy Maufe, who is a tenant at Branthill Farm, near Wells-next-the-Sea, is due to open a new shop selling real ale on 15 June 2004. The ale will be supplied by members of the East Anglia Brewers Association which represents 24 micro-breweries in the region. Branthill Farm itself is one of the few in the area that grows the traditional malting barley required to produce the distinctive premium local beers.
The RES grant funded the conversion of a redundant farm building into a shop facility. During the renovation process, an original floor of rare Holkham brick was revealed which has now been restored and helps to provide the ideal climate for storing real ale.
Media are invited to: Branthill Farm, Wells-Next-the-Sea, (off the main Fakenham - Wells B1105 road) Norfolk, NR23 1SB on Tuesday 15th June at 4 pm for an informal ceremony and opening by Lord Leicester, who owns the farm, and shop owner Teddy Maufe. There will also be a real ale tasting session.
Mr Maufe said:
"Hardly anyone knows about barley growing in East Anglia. My aim is to put Norfolk back on the map for growing the golden barley that makes the golden real ale.
"Now with the Defra grant I am opening a shop, and I know from my experience that real ale fans are willing to travel considerable distances to obtain the best products.
"The shop will also reconnect consumers of the final product with the raw materials and the production process, through a step-by-step display showing aspects of brewing from growing barley to bottled beer."
Nicola Franks, a Defra Rural Development Service adviser in the East of England, said:
"Mr Maufe will benefit from the security of an income independent of his tenant farm business. The shop is ideally located to benefit from the considerable tourist trade in the area and will create two jobs.
"The microbreweries providing stock will enjoy an outlet where their products will be guaranteed a high profile."
