Crouch Vale History

Crouch Vale Brewery was established in 1981 by two CAMRA enthusiasts. We are a small, independent company committed to the brewing and supply of the finest cask conditioned ales. Situated close to the River Crouch in the county of Essex, Crouch Vale Brewery provides a regular weekly supply service throughout the county and also into South Suffolk, East Hertfordshire and East London.

In addition to the brewing and sale of our own beers, we are also one of the largest wholesalers of other brewers' cask conditioned beers in the Eastern Counties. Although we trade with brewers all over the British Isles and beyond, we are particularly interested in providing a route to market for other East Anglian suppliers, while they distribute our beers in their locale. We believe that this type of reciprocal trading through an informal, friendly network is the cornerstone of a small brewer’s success.

As beer festival specialists, we are able to supply a wide range of guest beers together with (as brewers ourselves) the specialist knowledge necessary to aid selection.

Crouch Vale’s own beers have won many awards in the short history of the brewery, including the ultimate cask ale accolade - CAMRA's "Supreme Champion Beer of Britain", gained by ‘Brewers Gold’ in both 2005 and 2006. Brewers Gold, which is an extremely drinkable 4% a.b.v., accounts for over 50% of our production and is acclaimed worldwide as a leading example of the ‘Golden Ale’ style, with wonderful aromas and flavour from carefully selected ingredients.

Crouch Vale seasonal beers, of which there are usually two per calendar month, provide us with a chance to experiment, using the world’s finest new hop varieties and malt (bought on quality rather than price) to make beers that complement the seasons.

Our beers are brewed only from the finest traditional ingredients such as East Anglian ‘Maris Otter’ & ‘Pearl’ barley malts. The finest Kent and Worcestershire hops (as well as any new and interesting German and American varieties) are utilised in a time honoured production process, which produces beers of incomparable quality!