Duration Brewing celebrates completion of project to establish brewery at West Acre
A craft brewery is now up and running in a former medieval barn near West Acre Priory following a major restoration and building project.
Duration Brewing was founded by Derek Bates and Miranda Hudson who have recently brewed and collaborated with some of the UK's finest modern brewers to build awareness ahead of their opening.
The project took a year to deliver transforming a derelict historic barn at Abbey Farm into a sustainable brewery. It was built to showcase how well brewing and agriculture can exist in tandem, with Duration using local crops and produce for their beers.
The facility has a water treatment plant for zero effluent waste and will use spent grain and hops too.
Head brewer Derek, known as "Bates", said: "We are thrilled to be up and running making beer after a year long build. It's been an incredible journey and I'm excited to reach our true starting point.
"The beer industry has been amazingly supportive helping us by opening up their breweries and taps to Duration, and we have a lot of community interest too.
"I'm ready to get to brewing some great beers to share with y'all first off. Then in spring we'll hold a proper launch party for industry friends and locals alike.
Miranda said: "At a recent open day we invited West Acre residents to come and take a look around. We had an overwhelmingly good turn out, triple what we were expecting.
"I loved getting to hear of the barn's history and uses across the decades. One elderly resident remembers when his father ran it as a grain store.
"In spring we will open to the public with tours and tastings. For now it's just a huge thanks from us for all the support. For anyone wishing to try our beers we have an event planned in the trade."
That event is Duration's Bedrock Launch on Thursday, December 12. First pours will be offered in a trio of everyday drinking pale ales and IPA's releasing nationally on the day of the general election.
The Bedrock Launch has 50 participating venues in speciality beer bars, brewery taprooms, pubs and high street bottle shops up and down the country. These include The George & Dragon in Castle Acre.
