Lock, Stock and Two Pints of Ale [with Gritchie Brewing Company and an EXCLUSIVE interview with Guy Ritchie]

On the Hop Forward Podcast this week, we take a trip to Gritchie Brewing Company: a 'beer farm' located on the Ashcombe Estate near Shaftesbury, owned by acclaimed screenwriter, producer and director Guy Ritchie. Drawing from the land that surrounds the farm, their 20BBL brewhouse sits within rustic stone-built barns, overlooking expansive fields where their own Maris Otter barley is grown for malting and beer production. From the intimate setting of the Brewery Lodge, a secluded private tasting space reserved exclusively for invited guests, we sit down with members from the brewery, the vibrant Compton Abbas Airfield taproom and eatery, and Ritchie's London pub, Lore of the Land, before being joined by Guy Ritchie. Our discussion covers everything from the brewery's beers and the cultivation of Maris Otter barley grown on the estate, to the complexities and challenges inherent in running a brewery set in such a rural area surrounded by country pubs.  We also explore the unique dynamic of having a high-profile figure at the helm and how it influences the brewery's identity and operations. Guy Ritchie himself explains how growing up in pubs fostered his interest in storytelling and explains why believes that there's no such thing as a bad pub, only different ones, and cherishes the unique character of each one. Find out more about the brewery by visiting gritchiebrew.com THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF THE HOP FORWARD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY CHARLES FARAM. Charles Faram have been sellers of hops since 1865 and hop-growers for even longer. They stock nitrogen-flushed leaf hops, T90 and T45 pellets, and, to ensure their hops remain in optimum condition, they have state-of-the-art cold stores at their sites in Worcestershire and Yakima in the USA. At charlesfaram.com brewers can shop by pay-as-you-go or using agreed credit terms for yeast, malt, fruit purees and other brewing products.  In addition to leading varieties from across the world, the Faram’s Family range brings to you Archer®, Emperor®, Godiva™, Harlequin®, Jester®, Most™, Mystic™, Olicana®, and Opus® from their Hop Development Programme right here in the UK. If you would like more information or expert advice visit the brewer’s resources and FAQ pages of the website or contact their technical advisors for different uses, applications and recipes. They’re always really happy to help. Visit www.charlesfarm.co.uk to find out more.