Dorchester Brewing and Distilling Celebration 2022

Dorchester Brewing and Distilling Celebration is taking place in Dorchester from Friday 18^th February – Sunday 27^th February 2022.

The week-long festival is set to highlight the town’s prestigious brewing and distilling history through a series of events. This will include tastings, exhibitions, talks, poetry, and the chance to sample some award-winning tipples.

The celebration begins with a focus on Fordington Gin at Shire Hall on the 18th February. This is closely followed by talks from Emma Davies of Curious Kombucha and Kate Adie at Tom Brown’s pub.

Rich history of brewing in Dorchester

Dorchester has a fascinating history of brewing which dates back to the 18^th century. In 1760, the traveller Emmanuel Bowen recognised Dorchester as “brewing the best and finest beer in England, whereof great quantities have been of late years exported and consigned to London”.

For over 100 years, Eldridge Pope Brewery held much significance to Dorchester’s local economy. Despite the building closing in 2003, brewing is once again thriving in Dorchester with micro-breweries, pubs and distillers.

Thriving drinks-making scene in Dorchester today

Emma Davies of Curious Kombucha, Fordington Gin’s creator Ros Nelmes, and Ann Buckton from Copper Street brewery will all be hosting events and inside knowledge. Veteran news reporter, author and broadcaster Kate Adie is giving a talk at Tom Browns Pub. The not-to-be-missed talk will uncover how the pub changed in World War 1. Once male strongholds, pubs were now run by women, and women were welcome as customers.

Matilda Manley of Dorchester Town Council said:

“This is not a traditional beer festival but a more modern celebration of brewing. There’s a very fresh and creative drinks-making scene here with women at its core. And it’s great to be able to shine the spotlight on them, hear their stories and sample their fantastic drinks.”

What’s On at Dorchester Brewing and Distilling Celebration 2022

Friday 18th February:

• Temporary Brewing Exhibition at The Keep Military Museum telling the story of the three Woodhouse brothers
• Drinks in the Clink at Shire Hall: An Evening with Fordington Gin

Saturday 19th February:

• The Life and Times of Eldridge Pope – with Jeremy Pope at Dorset Museum
• Dorset Ale Celebration at Convivial Rabbit Micropub
• Curious Kombucha- A Curious Story at Tom Browns

Sunday 20th February:

• Dray Van and Free Brewery Tour at Brewery Square
• Women, War and the Pub – talk by Kate Adie at Tom Browns
• William Barnes Society Poetry Reading – Beer and Brewing poetry at Convivial Rabbit Micropub

Tuesday 22nd February:

• The Life and Times of Eldridge Pope – with Andy Melrose at Dorset Museum

Thursday 24th February:

• Copper Street Brewery Beer Tasting

Find out more about Dorchester Brewing and Distilling Celebration here and on Facebook for the latest updates.

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