Around 200 members of the Campaign for Real Ale [CAMRA] enjoyed a special preview evening at the new Brewhouse and Kitchen pub in Dorchester. Close to the South station, the building used to be the Station Master’s House and was opened as a pub by Eldridge Pope some 20 years ago.
CAMRA members flocked in from all over Dorset- from Gillingham in the north, Bournemouth in the east and Lyme Regis in the west. “The attraction of this new pub is that it brews its own beer in the specially built microbrewery at the front,” says CAMRA spokesman Michel Hooper-Immins, “so there will always be something different and distinctive to drink. CAMRA members were delighted to be given a preview of the new venture before it was officially open and all our members much enjoyed the evening.”
Dorchester Town Crier Alistair Chisholm was on hand to welcome Brewhouse & Kitchen to Dorchester, with a special ode written for the occasion:
Dorchester beer was renowned for its strength,
‘Twas stronger in depth and stronger by length,
But nothings been brewed here for a number of years,
Leaving drinkers bereft, holding tankards of tears!
But today we can celebrate, our history’s preserved,
The hops they are bubbling for discerning drinkers reserved,
The tapestry that’s Dorchester now has its final stitch in,
For brewings come back- thanks to Brewhouse and Kitchen!
“Having 200 CAMRA members to launch our new brewpub was fantastic,” says Brewhouse & Kitchen Managing Director Simon Bunn. “We had the opportunity to show off our brewery within the pub and the 14 beers we are brewing. The hog roast also went down a treat in our garden with 150 seats, the best beer garden in Dorchester!”
Michel Hooper-Immins
