Something Mysterious is coming to The Nag’s Head, via the Scottish Highlands
Next week, a new brewery celebrates with a busy weekend – in Reading on Friday, Crowthorne on Saturday, and Bracknell’s Ale & Cider festival on Sunday. JAMES HASTINGS finds out more
But perhaps the real mystery of the Mysterious Brewing Company is how a decorator and a media expert have managed to create some of the most widely anticipated beers in the country.
The secret may, or may not, be revealed on Friday, May 25, when the company holds its official launch at the town’s popular
Nag’s Head pub in Russell Street.
That’s when beer connoisseurs in Reading and across the south east, will get to taste the first three beers – Plan B, Avalon and Red My Mind.
The men behind Mysterious Brewing, Ken Barker from
Yateley and Adam Sculthorp from
Burghfield, hope their pint-sized business will soon roll out the barrel.
“The Reading and Berkshire beer scene is such a friendly and vibrant community and we’re beyond thrilled to be joining it,” said Ken, whose day job is painting and decorating.
“We love brewing, sharing beers and enjoy exceptional hopforward beers and that’s what we hope to bring to the community in cask, keg and can.”
“The idea for Mysterious Brewing followed on from a recipe that I created for Burghfield’s Burghfest festival last year, it was scaled up to commercial volumes by Andy Parker at Elusive Brewing and released publicly as Mystery Fox.”
The brewery is currently based in premises south-west of Reading, with plans – if all goes well – to move to new premises and taproom next year.
Adam said: “Mysterious Brewing’s philosophy is all about collaboration and a strong sense of community, indeed the brewery would never have been created if it wasn’t for the local brewing community.
“We both deeply value the support we have received from the local beer community and are eager to give back in return.”
The pair add that Mysterious Brewing takes pride in crafting quality beers which showcase the bold and aromatic characteristics of hops.
From refreshing IPAs with a hoppy punch to traditional bitters, their appealing line-up will uncover the mysterious elements of brewing to create interesting and enjoyable beers.
Ken explained that beer drinkers in Berkshire want variation in their glass which is why he recently spent two weeks in Scotland collecting fire tips from spruce trees.
“All I can add is Adam and I have a love of craft beers and we both have very understanding wives,” he smiled.
After the Nag’s Head launch, Mysterious Brewing takes over the taproom at The Hive in Crowthorne with a great line-up of keg beers plus the full range in cans.
The following day, Sunday,
May 28, the pair will be at the Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival selling more delightful produce.
■ For the new brewery, log on to: mysteriousbrewing.com
■ For more on the Nag’s Head, log on to: www.thenagsheadreading. co.uk
■ For the Hive, visit: www. thehivecraft.co.uk
■ And for the Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival, head to: bracknellalefestival.co.uk