Camberley's Brewery - Ascot Ales

My husband is a real ale fan and purchased some Ascot Ales in our local supermarket and pointed out to me that the beer was brewed in Camberley.  So we went and tracked down the brewery – he for the beer and me for the story – and were getting ready to ring, when I saw that the BBC had got there first!!!  But hey, it is nice to know that the story you wanted to do is considered good enough for the BBC!  Anyhow undeterred we went in search of ale and a story……

Ascot Ales is Camberley’s own local brewery based in a small industrial unit in Yorktown and Chris and Suzanne Gill bought the business from the previous owner, who started the business in Ascot, in December 2007.  The reason for the move to Camberley was because the water pressure in Ascot was too low to support the brewing – possibly something to do with a well renowned racecourse and lots of golfing greens needing water.  Ascot’s loss is Camberley’s gain.  Chris and Suzanne decided to keep the name Ascot Ales because of its alliterative nature which continues in the names of the beers.  Chris is responsible for the brewing and Suzanne looks after the sales and marketing.

There are five regular beers – Posh Pooch, named after a lady was seen walking a dog, that was wearing a diamond necklace – that’s Ascot for you; Alligator Ale; Anastasia’s Exile Stout; On the Rails and Alley Cat Ale.  Alongside the regular beers special seasonal beers are brewed too. Chris brews around 3,000 pints a week – some are bottled and the rest is casked.  The process takes three weeks from beginning to end and Chris uses only hops, barley malt, water and yeast. The brewing process itself takes one day, followed by seven days fermenting and then Chris leaves the beer to condition before he bottles and casks it for delivery. It is a labour of love and Chris described himself as “a part-time brewer, full time cleaner” because of the never ending cycle of cleaning out the equipment, the brewery, the van, etc.

The hard work has paid off as the beers have won many awards - Anastasia’s Exile Stout was a finalist in the Best Stout CAMRA National Winter Ale Festival in 2009 and won a bronze medal at the Reading Beer Festival also in 2009.  One of the special beers – Anastasia’s Imperial Stout won Overall Champion Beer of the Festival at CAMRA’s Woking Beer Festival 2009.  On the Rails won a bronze medal at the Reading Beer Festival last year too! To see all the awards won click here!

Local pubs that take Ascot Ales are RSVP in London Road, the Prince of Wales in Farnborough and the previous landlords of The Dolphin in Camberley, who now run The Rowbarge in Guildford. Waitrose, as part of their “locally produced” initiative also stock the beers.  Chris and Suzanne also attend Farmer’s Markets where you can buy the beers and they will be at Crowthorne’s First Farmer’s Market being held in the Morgan Centre, Wellington Road, Crowthorne on Saturday 13th March from 10am to 4pm.  If you are a real ale fan – go in search of Ascot Ales and support are local brewery!!