Houston Brewing Company
Encyclopedia
The Houston Brewing Company is a brewery
in the village of Houston in Renfrewshire
, Scotland
. It is attached to, and operated in common with, the Fox & Hounds public house
and, as a result of its size, is classed as a microbrewery
.
It produces a constant range of seven cask condition ales, alongside a range of seasonal and bottled beers.
Initially providing ales for the adjacent pub, the Houston Brewing Company has expanded to supply guest ales to a range of outlets at a national level.
Crystal 5% can be purchased in bottles.
levels denoted):
The principal cask ales are available throughout the year in the United Kingdom
.
A feature of the Houston Brewing Company is the range of season ales that are produced (currently one per month) for distribution throughout Scotland and the UK. The caricature style labels for the seasonal beers often depict members of staff of the Fox & Hounds pub.
and the Society of Independent Brewers
(SIBA) in both UK national and Scottish
regional contests. Most notable amongst these achievements are:
Brewery
A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company....
in the village of Houston in Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is attached to, and operated in common with, the Fox & Hounds public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
and, as a result of its size, is classed as a microbrewery
Microbrewery
A microbrewery or craft brewer is a brewery which produces a limited amount of beer, and is associated by consumers with innovation and uniqueness....
.
It produces a constant range of seven cask condition ales, alongside a range of seasonal and bottled beers.
History
The Houston Brewing Company was established in 1997. Its Founder and Managing Director is Carl Wengel, a member of the family that runs the Fox & Hounds Pub and Restaurant to which the brewery is attached. He is assisted by his wife Caroline Wengel. Carl Wengel also acts as Head Brewer.Initially providing ales for the adjacent pub, the Houston Brewing Company has expanded to supply guest ales to a range of outlets at a national level.
Crystal 5% can be purchased in bottles.
Beers
The seven principal cask ales are (with alcohol by volumeAlcohol by volume
Alcohol by volume is a standard measure of how much alcohol is contained in an alcoholic beverage .The ABV standard is used worldwide....
levels denoted):
- Killellan Bitter, 3.7%
- Peter's Well, 4.2%
- Texas, 4.3%
- Warlock Stout, 4.7%
- Blonde Bombshell, 4%
- Tartan Terror, 4.5%
- Black & Tan, 4.2%
The principal cask ales are available throughout the year in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
A feature of the Houston Brewing Company is the range of season ales that are produced (currently one per month) for distribution throughout Scotland and the UK. The caricature style labels for the seasonal beers often depict members of staff of the Fox & Hounds pub.
Awards
Various beers from the Houston Brewing Company have won a number of awards and accolades from the Campaign for Real AleCampaign for Real Ale
The Campaign for Real Ale is an independent voluntary consumer organisation based in St Albans, England, whose main aims are promoting real ale, real cider and the traditional British pub...
and the Society of Independent Brewers
Society of Independent Brewers
The Society of Independent Brewers was founded in 1980 under the title The Small Independent Brewers Association to represent the interests of the growing numbers of independent brewing companies in the United Kingdom...
(SIBA) in both UK national and Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
regional contests. Most notable amongst these achievements are:
- Champion Beer of ScotlandChampion Beer of ScotlandThe Champion Beer of Scotland is an award for Scottish beers presented by the Campaign for Real Ale , at their annual Scottish Traditional Beer Festival in Edinburgh....
2000 - St Peter's Well - Champion Beer of Scotland 2001 - St Peter's Well
- Champion Bitter of BritainChampion Beer of BritainThe Champion Beer of Britain is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale , at their annual Great British Beer Festival in early August. Beers can qualify in three ways:...
2005 - Killelan - Champion Best Bitter of ScotlandChampion Beer of BritainThe Champion Beer of Britain is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale , at their annual Great British Beer Festival in early August. Beers can qualify in three ways:...
2005 - - Champion Best Bitter of BritainChampion Beer of BritainThe Champion Beer of Britain is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale , at their annual Great British Beer Festival in early August. Beers can qualify in three ways:...
2011 - Peter's Well
See also
- Scottish beer
- Scottish Real Ale
- Houston, Renfrewshire
- List of breweries in Scotland