Old Chimneys

Client Brewer in Diss, Suffolk, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Associated Venue: Old Chimneys Brewery - Out of business

Established in 1995

Contact
Hopton End Farm, Church Road, Market Weston, Diss, IP22 2NX, England
Description
Old Chimneys Brewery was started in 1995 by Alan Thomson, a Master Brewer who celebrated 40 years of brewing in 2017.

Located in Market Weston on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, Old Chimneys has achieved an enviable reputation for beer quality. The flagship brand,
Good King Henry Special Reserve, has for 8 years been the highest rated English beer on ratebeer.com

Alan ceased brewing at Market Weston in April 2019 to concentrate on collaborative brewing with top quality brewers in the UK and abroad,
starting with Grain (Norfolk), Northern Monk (Leeds) and Wylam (Newcastle).

The regular Good King Henry is now brewed under Alan’s supervision at Grain Brewery. The strength has been increased to 10% abv, and for the first time in 20 years it is available in KeyKeg as well as cask.

Changed to a client brewer as of 2019 on Brewver as Alan continues to brew elsewhere with the Old Chimneys name, mostly at Grain Brewery.

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5.2/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 6 Overall 5
Bottle shared at the ’Beers of London’ Tasting MkII, Bespin Cloud City - Hyde Park zone, thanks to King Kemps of Mile High Tower, 11/02/15. Hazed orange amber with a moderate off white swirl. Nose is rhubarb and custard - wat ? Vanilla, sweet notes, caramel - where are the hops? Taste comprises sweet candied fruit, musty trace, toffee. Medium + body, fine carbonation, semi drying close. Not excellent. DIPA ??? Failed English Strong more like!
Tried from Bottle on 28 Feb 2015 at 05:39

6.1/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Bottle at Craig’s. Pours golden amber, nose is floral, orange, taste is similar, biscuity. --- Beer merged from original tick of Parnassus India Pale Ale on 08 Jun 2012 at 21:33 - Score: 6
Tried from Bottle on 26 Feb 2015 at 08:00

6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
Bottle at Craig’s. Pours golden amber, nose is light toffee, fruit, taste is light, thin, fruity.
Tried from Bottle on 26 Feb 2015 at 07:59

6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 6 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6
Bottle at Craig’s. Pours golden, nose is caramel, yeasty, taste is sweet toffee, caramel.
Tried from Bottle on 24 Feb 2015 at 01:29

8.8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 9 Texture 10 Overall 9
2011 bottle thanks to Colin! Pours a black with small beige head. The aroma is oak, cocoa, booze, ash, char. Medium mouth, nice roast, char, light bourbon, smoke finish, very impressive.
Tried from Bottle on 20 Feb 2015 at 23:23

7.6/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8.5
Bottle thanks to Colin during RBWG lobby share. Pours a black with small beige head. The aroma is licorice and roast. Similar flavor as aroma with dark chocolate and light booze.
Tried from Bottle on 20 Feb 2015 at 23:16

8/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 9 Flavor 9 Texture 6 Overall 8
Bottle. Hotel beer, RBWG 2014 Tampa. Exceedingly dark brown color. Aroma of fruity licorice. Taste is fruity coffee. Very nice.
Tried from Bottle on 20 Feb 2015 at 23:06

8/10 Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 8
Bottle from Eebria. Black pour with a light tan head. Licorice toffee, dark chocolate and raisin aroma. Flavours of dark chocolate, smoke and raisin. Rich warming taste. Nice.
Tried from Bottle on 19 Feb 2015 at 13:01

7/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 7
Bottle from Eebria. Brown pour with a beige head. Aromas of bonfire toffee, caramel and toffee apple. Flavours of caramel, orchard fruit and toffee. Sweet roast linger. Nice.
Tried from Bottle on 19 Feb 2015 at 12:57

7.4/10 Appearance 6 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Bottle from Eebria. Black pour with a light beige head. Coffee, black treacle and chocolate oat aroma. Raisin, dark fruit, sultana, prunes and candied peel. A subtle sourness in there. Dry finish. Nice.
Tried from Bottle on 19 Feb 2015 at 12:53