March 2022 – This text needs to be updated.
After a period of 80 years or so, brewing has returned to the Forest town of Mitcheldean.
The first brews from the Bespoke Brewery were brewed in March 2012. Businessman Mike Bayliss set up the brewery in a premises which would have been in the back yard of the old Wintles’ Forest Brewery, immediately behind the old maltings.
Mike currently employs two people at the brewery, Derek and Steve, who take an active role in the running of the brewery.
‘Saved By The Bell’ is a ‘light refreshing 3.8% beer with a spicy hop bite and a light floral aroma from the late hop addition. ‘Running the Gauntlet’ is a 4.4% ‘full malty flavour Forest bitter with rich roasted undertones balanced with good hop bitterness and spicy blackcurrant aromas from late hopping’, and ‘Money for Old Rope’ is a rich dark 4.8% Forest Stout. All the beer names have Forest of Dean connections.
Beers currently available in several Forest of Dean free houses including the Red Hart at Blaisdon and the White Horse at Staunton. Several hotels, clubs and camping sites in the Forest of Dean also stock bottles of beer from the Bespoke Brewery.
