We get it… there’s a lot to take in here! So, if you’re short for time, simply select a date below and we’ll transport you to that year in our exciting history.

After many years of home-brewing,
good friends Ray Ashworth & Dr David Crease founded the brewery in Drayton, to the east of Norwich.
Equipment was used from around the region including the Bass Experimental Brewery in Burton-on-Trent, and lemon juice vessels from Colman’s of Norwich converted to fermenting tanks.
The first brew of 4 barrels took place on 5th April, and Wherry Bitter was born.

After many years of home-brewing, good friends Ray Ashworth & Dr David Crease founded the brewery in Drayton, to the east of Norwich. Equipment was used from around the region including the Bass Experimental Brewery in Burton-on-Trent, and lemon juice vessels from Colman’s of Norwich converted to fermenting tanks. The first brew of 4 barrels took place on 5th April, and Wherry Bitter was born.

We soon outgrew our first home
and moved to a converted stable block at “The Spread Eagle” public house in Erpingham. Working with local coppersmiths F W Hall of Norwich, a new wort Copper was installed. After only a few months, fire struck, and production temporarily moved to Mauldon’s Brewery in Suffolk. On returning to the site we launched a new beer, “Phoenix XXX”, to celebrate.

We soon outgrew our first home and moved to a converted stable block at “The Spread Eagle” public house in Erpingham. Working with local coppersmiths F W Hall of Norwich, a new wort Copper was installed. After only a few months, fire struck, and production temporarily moved to Mauldon’s Brewery in Suffolk. On returning to the site we launched a new beer, “Phoenix XXX”, to celebrate.

With increased demand came a need for more space, as Wherry Bitter became the region’s most popular cask ale. We moved to our forever home at the heart of the Norfolk Broads in a set of thatched farm buildings on the Woodbastwick Estate. The very first brew at the newly named “Broadland Brewery” was Nelson’s in the October of 1989.

With increased demand came a need for more space, as Wherry Bitter became the region’s most popular cask ale. We moved to our forever home at the heart of the Norfolk Broads in a set of thatched farm buildings on the Woodbastwick Estate. The very first brew at the newly named “Broadland Brewery” was Nelson’s in the October of 1989.

As Wherry increased its popularity
around the region, it soon gained the attention of CAMRA, winning the “New Breweries Champion Beer of Britain. Perhaps a sign of awards to come…

1981

1988

1992

1994

1999

2004

2008

2015

2018

2020

Quick Scroll to date

Timeline