Romsey's new Flack Manor Brewery revives tradition with latest ale

When Romsey’s Hampshire Brewery called time on beers like Pride of Romsey and Strong’s Best Bitter in 2008 with the loss of 13 jobs, it marked the end of a historic industry in the town.

Now, just yards away on the same industrial estate, a new brewer has sprung into life and is unveiling its beer to the public.

The Flack Manor Brewery has been set up by Nigel Welsh – a former director of the Ringwood Brewery – and his team, which together boasts more than 64 years’ industry experience.

Since arriving on site in December they’ve been busily perfecting a new cask ale. Called Flack’s Double Drop, the brewery’s first offering uses ‘double drop’ brewing traditional in southern beers, and is being shipped out to pubs across Hampshire and Dorset. It has an official launch at the Royal Oak at Fritham in the New Forest tomorrow.

The 3.7 per cent beer, 720 gallons of which can be produced per day, uses locally sourced ingredients.

Nigel said: “It’s a nice golden, amber beer with a lingering after taste of hops and citrus overtones.

“We have got 20-plus outlets taking it in Hampshire and Dorset. Now we have to prove it’s good enough to drink and for them to keep in the bar.

“We want to get our feet under the table but eventually we’ll bring out another brew but it won’t be for another six months.”

Nigel said that Romsey had been chosen because of its proud brewing tradition.

He said: “Romsey is steeped in brewing history and it should have a brewery and it hasn’t got one. It’s also well placed, it’s a nice town and it suited our plans nicely.”

The brewery’s unusual name is inspired by the former Second World War air crew rest and recuperation centre in the area, known as the Flack Shack.

A brewery shop, also called The Flack Shack, will soon be opening on site, selling bottled beers.

Brewing has long been a key industry in Romsey and at one stage Strong’s brewery, which eventually closed in 1981, was the town’s largest employer.