Wards Best Bitter

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BarnsleyBrewer
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Location: Wombwell (South Yorkshire)

Wards Best Bitter

Post by BarnsleyBrewer » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:33 am

Anyone know a good clone of Wards Best Bitter? Brewed in Shefield.
BB
"Brewing Fine Ales in Barnsley Since 1984"
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tomU

Post by tomU » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:43 pm

Wards Best Bitter? Brewed in Shefield
Not any more it isnt... It's brewed by Robinsons in Stockport these days. Aparantly its nothing like Wards brewed at the old Wards brewery - I wouldnt know - I'm too young to remember. I just remember them sponsoring the mighty blades!

As for a recipe, cant help you I'm afraid

Ian R

Post by Ian R » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:04 pm

Hi BarnsleyBrewer,

There is a breakdown of the ingredients in Roger Protz's books The Real Ale Almanac. Don't know how accurate they are.

Chemo

wards

Post by Chemo » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:55 pm

I used to love that ward's bitter

Bloody criminal how the brewery was shut!

In the almanac it says:
Pale Malt, Craystal Malt, Enzymic malt 90%
Tofferfied wheat, invert sugar 10%
23 units of colour
Challenger and target for 25 IBU
fuggle and progress for aroma
OG 1038

Chemo

Post by Chemo » Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:59 pm

Amount Item
0.45 kg Maltose syrup (150.0 EBC)
3.10 kg Pale Malt (2 Row) UK (5.9 EBC)
0.50 kg Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (78.8 EBC)
0.40 kg Wheat, Torrified (3.3 EBC)
12.00 gm Target [11.00 %] (90 min)
20.00 gm Challenger [7.50 %]
10.00 gm Fuggles [4.50 %] (10 min) (Aroma Hop-SteeHops -
5.00 gm Progress [6.25 %] (10 min) (Aroma Hop-SteHops -
how about that for 25L?

sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:08 pm

That brings back memories, a superb pint of Wards Best Bitter in the Devonshire Arms, the old Ward's Brewery Tap opposite the brewery down Eccleshall Road...

That's another recipe on the 'to try' list when the AG gets the go ahead, hopefully this summer... :wink:

I'll need a water softener for that one...

Chemo

Post by Chemo » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:16 pm

ah yes, the devonshire arms!

mind you could get in nearly every pub- proper steel workers ale- slipped down beautifully.

Chris B

Post by Chris B » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:17 pm

Paul

I don't know exactly where in North Notts you are but the Turk's Head in Retford used to be a Wards house, it was Tetleys last time I went in. I think the Black Boy on Moorgate still has a Wards sign outside, although I have neve been in there.

Chris

sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:37 pm

Chris B wrote:Paul

I don't know exactly where in North Notts you are but the Turk's Head in Retford used to be a Wards house, it was Tetleys last time I went in. I think the Black Boy on Moorgate still has a Wards sign outside, although I have neve been in there.
Retford is my nearest town, though its still 9 miles away. I know it well, but don't frequent it for drinking any more. I must be getting old...

The problem is, since the brewery closed, Ward's is just not the same anymore.

Chris B

Post by Chris B » Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:47 pm

You are a similar distance out of town to me. Before a mate of mine moved from Treswell, we used to take the bus into town and have a few in the Rum Runner and the maybe the last one in the Turks before getting the last bus home!

sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:28 pm

Chris B wrote:Before a mate of mine moved from Treswell...
Now that's dangerously close to where I am... 8-[

Chris B

Post by Chris B » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:31 pm

Dangerously close can only be South Leverton, Rampton or Cottam and I live in one of those villages!

sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:40 pm

Chris B wrote:Dangerously close can only be South Leverton, Rampton or Cottam and I live in one of those villages!
I'm in the shadow of the Cooling Towers. You should work it out from that... :wink:

...and there's a little clue in the sig.:D

Chris B

Post by Chris B » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:44 pm

I probably know you then! I used to work at the big one but moved from coal to gas when they built it in 97/8.

sparky Paul

Post by sparky Paul » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:04 pm

We moved here just after the gas one was built. Its a small world! :wink:

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