'F' day for Firebird

'F' day for Firebird Brewing Company was 27th July 2013, when Bill King and Richard Peters started their first brew of their new venture at the Brickworks Brewery in Rudgwick, West Sussex. Originally friends from the Birmingham University School of Malting and Brewing, Bill and Richard met up again years later and the idea of Firebird soon rose from the ashes over a pint in a local pub. The name is in a nod to the continual regeneration of Bill King’s brewing heritage in the King & Barnes and, then, W.J. King breweries. Richard was originally a brewer with Courage. The new ten barrel brewery was constructed from a range of plant purchased, refurbished and assembled by Bill and Richard.

Firebird celebrates the traditions of the world’s great brewing centres. The 2013 launch beers were Heritage XX Best Bitter (4.0%), Paleface American Pale Ale (5.2%), Old Ale XXXX (4.5%) and Bohemia Pilsner Lager (4.8%). The New Year will see Richard and Bill brewing a pale beer using New Zealand single hop variety Pacific Gem, as well as a Weissbier, complete with the yeasty, zesty tones so typical of this Munich speciality. They'll follow this with plans to produce many seasonal ales and world classics including Porter, Alt Bier and Belgian Pale Ale.

Bill and Richard are already investing in new capacity with two new fermenters scheduled for delivery in January. The beers have been on sale locally at Rudgwick Social Club; The Mucky Duck, Tismans Common; The Sir Roger Tichbourne, Alford Bars; and The Chequers, Rowhook. They will also be available at the North Sussex CAMRA Spring Equinox Beer Festival, Horsham, 22nd-23rd March and, hopefully, at the Sussex CAMRA Beer & Cider Festival, Hove, 6th-8th March.

Firebird Brewing Company Ltd, Old Rudgwick Brickworks, Lynwick Street, Rudgwick, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 3DH, 01403 823180. www.firebirdbrewing.co.uk