Geograph - photograph every grid square

Unsurprisingly, this square is dominated by images of the renowned Hook Norton Brewery.
Founded in around 1850, it is still run by descendants of the original brewer. Although its reputation is based on its excellent variety of traditional ales, the fabric of the brewery is equally deserving of study.

Principally, the external appearance retains the profile of a traditional tower brewery of the late 19th century.
SP3433 : Hook Norton Brewery

This developed around the traditional methods of brewing ales, with transition between different parts of the process being carried out by gravity. The retention of traditional methods means that an old building is fundamentally no hindrance to an efficient business, although as it is now listed grade II, the scope for structural alterations is limited.
Also listed are a number of the ancillary buildings, so the whole site retains a traditional feel.
SP3433 : Hook Norton brewery stablesSP3433 : Hook Norton Brewery Visitor Centre and MuseumSP3433 : Hook Norton Brewery

Finally, a significant proportion of the equipment is in traditional form, although certain processes do now use more modern machinery. Pride of place goes to the steam engine
SP3433 : Hook Norton brewery steam engine
which is still in daily use to drive various pieces of equipment, using traditional line-shafting and belt drives. Among other items it powers the external lift
SP3433 : Sack Lift
for raising the malt to the storage loft and the malt mill
SP3433 : Malt mill
which crushes the malt ready for creating the wort.

Two traditional processes which have however been superseded are the use of the large open pan for cooling the wort, (although this is still retained in situ)
SP3433 : The Cool Ship

and traditional timber casks. All ales are delivered in modern aluminium casks
SP3433 : Racking the ale
or bottled.