Brewery branches out with gourmet vinegar

Great Barr-based Hamstead Brewing Centre has already made a name for itself as a producers of quality wines, beers and cider, and is now using its very finest products to make a range of gourmet vinegars.

Some of its top-of-the-range wines and ciders are now being used as a basis for the new range, with bottles now hitting shelves at National Trust shops across the country.

It already provides speciality vinegars for a number of Morrison's supermarkets, including the Walsall store.

And now luxury hamper company Fortnum & Mason has approached the family business, with a view to including its products on their upmarket gift list.

Robert and Barbara Hogg started Hamstead Brewing Centre 26 years ago, with son, Chris joining as the third member of the team.

Chris, aged 41, said the Newton Road-based business is seeing a massive increase in trade, with demand increasing for both its homebrew kits and the wines beers, ciders and vinegars, produced by its manufacturing arm, Beacon Valley Winery.

He said: "My dad was behind the plan to diversify into vinegar production. He loves experimenting with the fermentation process and the vinegars came about as a natural progression of that.

"We genuinely believe we can produce some of the best vinegars in the world."

The company imports grape juices from all over the world to produce its wines and is currently specialising in Italian grapes, including Primovito, Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio. However where ever possible it uses local produce to produce its beers, ciders and fruit vinegars.

The company is part of Heart of England Fine Foods, which promotes produce from the Midlands. Beacon Valley Winery is located 100 yards from the busy Scott Arms junction in Great Barr – a far cry from the tranquil vineyards of southern Europe.

The company is now hoping to open up a brand new facility solely for vinegar production.