FOOD + DRINK
POSTCARDS FROM KENT
10 YEARS OF ROMNEY MARSH BREWERY
MATT CALAIS, CATHY KOESTER AND BREWERY CO- FOUNDER BRIAN CALAIS( MATT’ S DAD)
One of Kent’ s leading local breweries – Romney Marsh Brewery – is celebrating 10 years of business. Brand-new beers will be brewed to mark this milestone, starting with a premium 4.5 % hoppy pale ale, called A Decade in the Making.
“ Ten years ago I established Romney Marsh Brewery with just one beer, Romney Amber,” says brewer and founder, Matt Calais.“ I’ ll never forget the first time I filled steel casks with the words Romney Marsh Brewery wrapped around them; I think that’ s the closest I’ ll ever get to giving birth!”
“ I love the fact that so many of the people I first met a decade ago are still the people I see week in and week out on deliveries,” adds Cathy Koester, Matt’ s wife and brewery sales director.“ Not only do we talk beer, I get to keep up with what their kids are doing and all the real-life stuff that makes the job so interesting.”
Still a family-run business, the brewery has grown each year from a handful of customers in 2015 to around 150 pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops. Yet they firmly remain a microbrewery – producing and delivering every drop of beer themselves. With the help of assistant brewer Darren Newman, every function of the business is performed by the family.
Customers include many of Kent’ s premier destinations: The Pilot Inn, Dungeness; Saltwood’ s hide and fox restaurant, who have notably just won their second Michelin star; Boys Hall in Ashford, named Best Hotel in the South of England by the Good Hotel Guide; the renowned Port Lympne Reserve; and the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, all attracting many visitors to Kent.
“ We love working with local and independent businesses, no exception with Matt and Cathy from Romney Marsh Brewery,” say Alice Bussi and Allister Barsby, owners of hide and fox.“ They’ re always helpful and supportive, and their bottled beers are loved by our guests and team alike.”
“ Romney Marsh Brewery has been a fantastic partner for The Pilot Inn, crafting two outstanding ales for us,” adds Niko Miaoulis, owner of the brewery’ s largest cask outlet – The Pilot Inn.“ Both have become firm favourites with our customers, who not only enjoy them in the pub but also love taking bottles home to share with friends and family. The quality, flavour, and craftsmanship behind these ales are second to none.”
“ Romney ales have been such a hit with our guests and a real joy for us to pour,” says Brad Lomas, owner of Boys Hall.“ The quality and consistency they deliver every time is something we really value and appreciate, and it’ s been a pleasure having them on our bar. We are proud to support locals and value the great quality we have right on our doorstep.”
So, let’ s all raise a glass to Romney Marsh Brewery’ s first decade of brewing.
romneymarshbrewery. com
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