In 1520 hops were first cultivated in Kent for mainstream brewing in Britain , with some claiming it was Little Chart , Ashford , that saw this country ’ s very first hop gardens . It seems almost too fitting that around 500 years later , after five centuries of brewing evolution , that Curious Brewery should be founded only a few miles away , ready to continue Kent ’ s legacy of providing premium brews to this nation and beyond . Officially founded in 2011 , with the state-of-the-art brewing facility opening in 2019 , Curious Brewery has been crafting and brewing premium beers and ciders using the best quality ingredients and expertise ever since . Far more than just another beer brand , Curious Brewery ’ s ethos goes far beyond their premium products ; it is a business that cherishes its connection to not only the consumer but the local community too .
The Curious story starts long before the brand was even an inkling of an idea . Before the shining premises with its sharp angles and monochrome matte black exterior gleamed its way into Ashford ’ s growing skyline , there once stood a small primary school in the place the brewery stands today . On the 14 March 1943 , exactly 80 years ago , a heroic teacher named Miss Ellen Adams saved the lives of her entire school and its teachers by ushering them into the safety of the basement before a World War II bombing raid was carried out on the town in which the school structure above them was devastated , thus saving the lives of over 100 pupils and staff . To commemorate her memory and heroic act , Curious named its brewhouse in her honour . Curious Brewery ’ s ties with the local area do not stop there . All their brewing is done in house , under one roof , ensuring optimum consistency and ultimate product quality assurance . The £ 14-million brewery even houses its own bottling line , with the entire premises manned and managed by Kent locals , all passionate and supremely knowledgeable about their craft .
With Curious Brewery , the name really says it all . At the heart of their ethos , the brewery encourages people to keep asking questions and inspires them to stay intrigued all the while learning more about the creative and technical processes , as well as the ingredients , that go into every bottle . This notion extends to the brewers themselves , promoting a way of working that challenges the norm , striving for innovation and enticing experimentation . “ Enthusiasm and energy come in different waves ,” brewer Del Salhi tells us on our visit . “ The different people on our team provide this variety ; there are no rules when it comes to being curious in brewing , we welcome all ideas .” Along with passion for the product and the process , it is clear that this almost mischievous approach to brewing and challenging traditional methods and practices is what really lies behind the brand and the creativity behind their unique ranges and individual drinks . “ Beer can still be premium while also being fun ,” says Del .
When it comes down to those all important ingredients , Kent hops are used along with the highest quality hops from all over the world . “ This variety is what gives each beer a distinct and unique flavour . All hops have different characteristics and flavour notes ,” Del tells us as he explains more of Curious Brewery ’ s experimental approach to their craft . Instead of using the hops in their raw form ,
Curious instead uses specially created pellets , a peasized lump which is the equivalent to 30 hop flowers and can be stored to keep optimum flavour for longer periods of time as different hops are harvested at different times throughout the year , so a diverse range of beers can be brewed whenever is needed . This is another way in which Curious demonstrates that they really have no limits when it comes to being open-minded and welcoming new ways of doing things , constantly chasing and refining that premium product so it is always at its very best .
Diversity is something that Curious Brewery clearly appreciates . They know that there are an infinite amount of preferred tastes when it comes to beer and its consumers . Their small batches , seasonal brews and core range demonstrate their accommodation of this factor , and they know that this is one experiment that will never be concluded . Experimentation , learning , and of course , staying curious , will forever be what defines the brewery and everything they stand for .
Curious Brewery Unit 1 , Victoria Road Ashford TN23 7HQ brewery @ curiousbrewery . com curiousbrewery . com
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