Mayor cuts ribbon to launch new tasting rooms
WOKINGHAM beer and gin fans flocked to sample the beverages on offer at the grand opening of Sit & Sip Tasting Room.
The Tasting Room is one of the first new businesses to open their doors in the town centre’s Peach Place regeneration, alongside big names such as Waterstones and Cook.
On Friday, May 3, owner James Mattingley was joined by borough mayor Cllr John Kaiser, who cut the ribbon to officially open Sit & Sip in Wokingham, just hours after he had been reelected as borough councilor for Arborfield.
The independent venue was packed with happy customers throughout its opening weekend, with visitors sampling a host of different craft beers and artisan spirits.
James, 38, from Henley, said: “We want to thank everyone who came along to see us over the weekend to check out what Sit & Sip has to offer.”
“We believe the Sit & Sip experience is unique so it was great to welcome people to the Tasting Room, and see them enjoy our exciting drinks offering.
“It created a fantastic atmosphere and a real buzz.”
“We can’t wait to meet more people now we are open, especially as we have some exciting events coming up at the Tasting Room which we are also really looking forward to.”
Sit & Sip says it champions smaller producers – especially those within the region – and one of the Tasting Room’s most exciting partnerships is with Siren Craft Brew, based in Finchampstead.
Siren has two beer taps at Sit & Sip which will offer a rotating selection of what the brewery has to offer. Starting with their ‘Gluten Free Futurist’ and the ‘Hazey Pale Ale Suspended in Denali’, both very popular with customers who visited across the weekend.
The partnership is particularly special for Siren, as it will be the first time its beers have been served in a Wokingham venue on a permanent basis since it launched in 2013.
Siren founder Darron Anley said: “We think Sit & Sip will be amazing for Wokingham and we are very excited to be working with the Tasting Room.
“Our customers have been really pleased that they can now try our beers in Wokingham town centre.”
“It’s great to have two taps for our beers in the town, as we have previously been better known in London and internationally. Now we can showscase what we are doing locally to a local crowd.”
Siren plans to release 50 new and unique beers over the course of 2019, so visitors to Sit & Sip can look forward to discovering something different on a regular basis.
Siren Craft Brew will host a Tap Takeover at Sit & Sip on June 27, when customers will be able to sample a selection of their different beers and learn all about their brewing process.
Sit & Sip has also launched a Tasting Club offering information about the latest brews on tap. For details, visit www.sitandsip.co.uk.