Drop the Anchor Brewery
Last week I went to meet Neil Hodgkinson at Drop the Anchor brewery, which has recently moved to East Close Farm near Christchurch. The characterful disused farm is being developed into a one-stop shop for local produce and artisan goods. Neil sees it being a friendly destination for live music events, comedy nights and quizzes – alongside great beer, of course.
Drop The Anchor was founded in Christchurch in 2017. Neil started with three beers, and his repertoire has grown to over 60 recipes ranging from traditional to Willy Wonka-esque flavours such as bubble gum. The beer is handcrafted in small cask batches using traditional methods to ensure consistently excellent taste. The brewery has won 14 medals for best beer at Dorset, Hampshire and Lancashire festivals, and has built a loyal following.
Did you know that many brewers use isinglass, or fish bladders, to clarify beer and make the yeast settle? Neil doesn’t. All his beer is vegan. Some of the brews may appear cloudy (as they were in past times when people drank from pewter tankards rather than glasses) but the yeast adds an extra depth of flavour. That and you’re not drinking fish bits. Having lived in Munich for five years, I’m all for beer purity. Their beer purity law of 1516 is still in force, meaning beer can only contain malted grains, hops, water and yeast.
I tried two of the IPAs - Trampled Underfoot (5.9%) and Phoenix (6%). Trampled Underfoot is a mix of pale, wheat and lager malts, with Mosaic, Waimea and Nelson hops. Really hoppy and vibrant, with an amazing aroma. Phoenix was my favourite - a blend of pale malt, crushed oats and organic orange peel, infused with a Citra Hop Tea. The citrusy flavour made me think of summer festivals (and believe me, in bleak and freezing February conditions that’s no mean feat).
The brewery is currently offering a Friday drive-thru, where customers can pull up to the hatch, safely place their order and drive away using the one-way system. They sometimes team up with a local business to offer a takeaway food menu too - see the DTA Facebook page for details. The drive-thru has been a nice way for Neil to have a chat with his regulars and keep that sense of community alive until the pubs can reopen.