Watsons Brewery

Microbrewery in Colchester, Essex, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Established in 2016

Closed in 2025

Contact
54 Old Heath Road, Colchester, CO1 2HD, England
Description
I’m a one-man, small batch brewery, now (post-Covid/Brexit/Truss/Ukraine) producing just two casks each brewday which go to beer festivals and pubs mostly in Colchester and north Essex. I’ve been brewing commercially since 2016. I brew a lot of different beers rather than having a small range of regular beers.

I brew using top quality, fresh, ingredients, and don’t use pumps or chemicals or finings. I have been producing vegan-friendly beers for a couple of years now.

Ceased commercial brewing late 2025 and reverted to being a home brewer in 2026.

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Nice job on the lactose. Good balance. Easy-drinker.
Tried from Bottle at The Ale House on 03 Apr 2018 at 20:21

6.8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottle many thx to Grumbo, thx Sir. Cons 2018-03-01 Göteborg AR: ink, liqurice, black peppery, baking vanilla AP: black, cream sand brown wee lid F: heavy roasted, natural liqurice, tar, leather, wee baking vanilla,
Tried from Bottle on 01 Mar 2018 at 20:47

7.5/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 8
Many thanks to Erzengel for sharing! A almost black beer with a mid-sized good lasting beige head. Aroma of mild roasted coffee, dark malt and lactose. Taste of roasted dark malt, lactose, coffee. Nice!
Tried on 26 Feb 2018 at 21:16

7/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
15th February 2018
Chelmsfaaarhd Winter Fest. Cask in Kegs. Hazy gold beer, small white head. Light palate, semi dry and reasonably crisp. Thin sweetish malts. Sweet floral mid before mild hop spice and a decent tangerine and orange kick. Light finish. Tidy cask IPA.
Tried from Cask on 16 Feb 2018 at 08:48

6.4/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Cask @ Chelmsford Beer Festival. Nice head with good duration. Color is black. Aroma and taste are caramel, druits, malt and hops. Sweet finish.
Tried from Cask on 15 Feb 2018 at 17:50

7.2/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Cask @ Chelmsford Beer & Cider Festival. Almost black with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, roasted malt and moderate hoppy - pine. Flavor is medium sweet and moderate bitter. Sweet and moderate bitter finish. 150218
Tried from Cask on 15 Feb 2018 at 17:42

7.3/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 6
Many thanks to Grumbo for this bottle! Smooth malty beginning. Round and smooth roasted. Mild with a nice coffee back. Roast, round and easy to drink. Very dry, roasted chocolate, malty coffee bitter in the aftertaste. Nice and round brew.
Tried from Bottle on 15 Feb 2018 at 17:13

6.9/10 Appearance 4 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Cask at the 2018 Chelmsford & Mid Essex Beer & Cider Festival. Pours cloudy dull gold with minimal head. Aroma of hop, citrus, juicy tropical fruits, grass and light caramel. Medium sweetness, moderate bitterness. Medium body, slight oily texture, very soft carbonation.
Tried from Cask on 15 Feb 2018 at 14:52

6.8/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Cask @ Chelmsford Beer Festival. Small head with short duration. Colo ri golden. Aroma and taste are rich fruits, flowers, malt and hops. Sweet hoppy finish.
Tried from Cask on 15 Feb 2018 at 14:42

7.1/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Cask @ Chelmsford Beer & Cider Festival. Hazy golden with a white head. Aroma is sweet, malty and moderate hoppy - citrus. Flavor is quite sweet and rather bitter. Dry and rather bitter finish. 150218
Tried from Cask on 15 Feb 2018 at 14:31