Woodfordes Wherry
An Eminently Reliable Brew - You Can’t Go Wrong!
Lee and I had never heard of Woodforde’s or Wherry when we chose to buy this kit for our first attempt at brewing in 2011. We decided simply because it was the smartest looking and most expensive kit in Wilkinson’s (£19 approx), so we figured it promised the best possibility of a great tasting pint. Wherry was distinct from other kits stocked by Wilkinson’s because it consisted of two cans whereas all the others on offer were single cans that require at least half a kilo of added brewer’s sugar and malt.
Despite a lot of fuss to get this brew right, I ended up failing to properly tighten the lid on the barrel. As a result the brew lost nearly most of the natural CO2 that would come from the secondary fermentation in the barrel! However, after I tightened the lid and added a few squirts of CO2 from a cylinder we quickly came to realise this was in fact a very acceptable pint.
The December weather (2011) was bitterly cold and accordingly the beer, which had been stored outside, was extremely cold too. I don’t normally associate freezing temperatures with ale but in this case, the chill had clearly enhanced the rich and refreshing flavour.
To mark the grand opening of our first barrel we invited some friends around to share in the occasion. If I had had any worries that the ale might have been badly received, I needn’t have. The Wherry could not have gone down better with our guests or for that matter by Lee and myself. I may well have been over excited on the day but I was certain this was one of the best pints of beer I’d ever tasted.
It is possible my barrel of Woodforde’s Wherry didn’t quite reach the 4.5% ABV stated on the box but whatever the strength, it was still an excellent session beer. Everyone who drank a pint of this ale was quick to return for a refill. I highly recommend this kit.
Since my first attempt I have chosen to brew Wherry on several further occasions and it is always an excellent pint - clearly a favourite for us.
During the summer 2012 Lee and I were very excited to see Wherry on sale in a pub we sometimes frequent in Richmond upon Thames. To my bewilderment the pint served to me in the pub bore little relationship to the pints we are accustomed to at home! No contest, the homebrew version wins without a shadow of doubt. I am planning to visit Woodforde’s brewery whenever I get to visit Norfolk next, I am hoping for a better experience there.