David Bruce (right) back in the brewhouse with West Berkshire Brewery
head brewer Will Twomey
Travel back in time to the early days of the microbrewing revolution in Britain and the name Dogbolter will loom large.
Dogbolter was created by British brewing pioneer David Bruce at The Goose and Firkin in 1979 and subsequently brewed at his other Firkin Pubs. David has since gone on to other brewing and pub adventures in Britain and abroad, but now he’s back, at West Berkshire Brewery (WBB) where he became chairman last year. The new full-mash brew, with an OG of 1060° (6% ABV) was brewed by Will Twomey, head brewer at WBB, who ensured that his brew remained true to Bruce’s original recipe.
The irony is that the first ever brew of Dogbolter was the result of a fortunate mishap: Bruce was brewing his notorious Earthstopper (OG 1075°) when he was distracted by a phone call. The call was longer than expected and, by the time Bruce returned to his brew, its OG had fallen from an initial 1085°, past the intended 1075° to 1068°. Realising his cock-up, Bruce reduced the OG further to 1060°. The accident turned out to be an inadvertent stroke of genius.
The opportunity to brew Bruce’s Original Dogbolter came about when David was asked to feature in Boak and Bailey’s new book, to be published on June 19. The re-launch of Dogbolter is, therefore, Bruce’s way to celebrate the chapter devoted to him in Brew Britannia: the Strange Rebirth of British Beer.
To mark the event, WBB promises 40 firkins and 6,000 commemorative bottles of Bruce’s Original Dogbolter will be available nationally to pubs, wholesalers and retailers. Firkin fans of the 1980s will be able to sample again one of Bruce’s most acclaimed brews, while the new generation of ale lovers will be able to experience the real taste of Bruce’s “happy accident”.
Get dogbolter up here in Leeds I love it and remember it from the old firkin days
I bought a bottle of this at my local Dobbies in Gillingham a while ago but it said on the label it was from the Ramsgate Brewery??? Pity the kits aren’t available for homebrew.
They were once.
Dogbolter home brew kits were available, best tasting homebrew ever!
Had my First of many pints of Dogbolter at the Goose and Firkin at the Borough in London 84/85 my late father in law introduced me to real ale never looked back this was one of the better ones
Smart move, it was stronger than 6% though I think? Ferret, Frog possibly the names of where I went. My mates were at Polytechnic in London. Who’s nicked my Firkin pint beer mats 🙂
I had some interesting times with this beer, I recall it was stronger than 6%, am I right? Firkin pubs London.
Not normally a fan of “dark” beers but I loved Dogbolter. It had a slight sweetness to it and that wonderful aromatic hop smell,a beautiful beer.
Hello, can the original Dog bolster still be purchased?
I don’t believe so, Glenn. David’s now MD at West Berkshire Brewery – you could send an email there, perhaps.
Why don’t you make everyone happy and regenerate the Dogbolter home brew kits ? Oh happy days !
Hi Just going over my geekish notes on great beers I wanted to remember.
I came across dogbolter 1998, and it was in a firkin pub that it was tested.
loved the name, and loved the beer. I have a note it was 5.6% , but 6% even better.
Please come and sell around Brum. Good luck with WBB.
Firkin were brill in 1980s