There are changes afoot in Ponsanooth, the village noted as having Cornwall’s — maybe even the UK’s? — highest concentration of brewers.
Woodman’s Wild Ale, established by brewer and forager Stuart Woodman in 2016, has been purchased by the Goodh Brewing Co, although it’s very much business as usual for the award-winning Mr Woodman.
The brewery is still at Viaduct Works — also home to the Dynamite Valley and Treen’s breweries — but has moved into a bigger unit. New investment — from an EU funding package, as well as from Goodh Brewing, owned by entrepreneur Louis Simpson — has brought better equipment and has, as Stuart says, “allowed me to do more of what I do well — foraging and brewing”.
But as well as Stuart’s wild range, the Goodh portfolio will include more conventional brews, hence the recruitment of former Rebel Brewing head brewer, Matt Pascoe, who also spent time with Skinner’s Brewery. Matt will concentrate on new recipe development.
There are two brew kits — Woodman’s 500-litre plant and a 25-litre set-up for experimental brews, the latter similar to a home-brew kit, but with bells and whistles, says Stuart. Production is being “massively ramped up” and an online shop is now live.
Meanwhile, Stuart takes his government-approved exercise in the form of foraging forays. “If I got stopped, I’d say it’s work I can’t do at home. But I don’t come into contact with anyone.”
He is particularly proud of a new stinging nettle and beech leaf saison. No ‘exercise walk’ involved, though — the ingredients were gathered within 20 yards of the brewery, all on brew day while the kettle was coming up to temperature. For more details of Goodh Brewing Co, visit its new Facebook page at tinyurl.com/ycknsluq
