Winter opening hours: mon-thurs 9-5.30, Fri 9-8, sat 10-8pm

Want to be a brewer? Think again!

When I was thinking of leaving teaching and setting up Wildcraft, I visited as many breweries as I could. I was desperate to glean information,  to work out how you jump from a small setup in the shed (my other half would say all over the house) to 100's of litres at a time and most importantly, trying to work out if was something I could achieve.  I met some great people along the way and some very good brewers but the ultimate piece of advice that many wanted to pass on was 'Don't do it!'.

Now, for those of you that know me, the easiest way to get me to try something is by telling me not too but in this case, I thought I had better investigate further...

Reason 1: 'Your life will be taken over by it'. I will be honest, this was something that really didn't phase me. I remember sitting one night in the living room, laptop on my lap, marking students work. My other half was a mirror image, sitting across the room and I said, quite innocently how I wished I could be out of education running my own brewery. 'But you will be working all sorts of hours' was the reply. She obviously didn't see the irony of what she was saying as we both then continued to work well into the night!

As it is, yes, the place has taken over my life but thats ok, it will for the first few years but its all part of making sure we do this right! The main difference is that I am myself again, teaching was killing me, I had lost sight of who I was and why I was doing things, I was constantly grumpy and depressed... Not any more!

Reason 2: 'You will just be a glorified caretaker'. To be fair, this one is a true one!  I spend more time cleaning the place than doing anything else (although you wouldn't know it sometimes) and this can become quite monotonous. Having said that, I have been the maker of my own demise here, why wouldn't I put a lovely light coloured floor paint in here which shows up every mark, footprint and stain?

Reason 3: 'Its not as easy as you think, its a big jump'. Well excuse my language but no s**t sherlock. I never expected it to be easy, I was well aware that recipes don't just work first time and that going from a small brew to a big doesn't always transfer how you would think. But thats all part of the fun of it, experimenting, finding the best flavours and making something from them.  Believe me, we have plenty of unlabelled bottles in the cold room that were experiments that may or may not have gone well.

Reason 4: 'Its a crowded market'. This one is very true, that's where I needed something different... Thankfully, I was already planning on using foraged ingredients so this one was thrown out before I had even got past my first half pint!

And that was it... They were the reasons I and maybe you, if you are thinking of setting up,  shouldn't do it.  Having taken those on board, I went ahead and did it anyway and am so thankful that I did.  Even as I sit here now, typing this in a barn that is currently 3 degrees, I think to myself one thing, its so much better than teaching!!

Older Post
Newer Post

355 comments

  • Bitcoin Recovery Testimony

    Losing $405,000 to a fake crypto investment scheme was the darkest chapter of my life. The platform looked so real—flashy ads, convincing reps, and all the right words. When the truth hit, I was devastated—financially, emotionally, and mentally.

    Just when I thought all hope was lost, I found Cloudstrike Cybersecurity Company. I reached out, and to my disbelief, they managed to recover every single dollar I had lost. It felt like a miracle.

    I can’t fully express how grateful I am. Cloudstrike gave me my life back. If you’re in a similar situation, don’t give up. Contact them at[Cloudstrikecyber@gmail.com]
    WhatsApp: +1 (260) 408-3923
    —they truly are lifesavers.

    Leigh Woodward
  • After losing $80,000 to a deceptive online broker, I was overwhelmed and unsure if I would ever recover my funds. Thankfully, I found SUPREME ASSETS RECOVERY. From the very beginning, their professionalism and clear communication stood out. They took the time to understand my situation in detail and provided a structured recovery plan that gave me confidence and peace of mind. Throughout the entire process, they remained transparent, responsive, and committed. What impressed me most was their attention to detail and how they kept me updated at every critical step. It never felt like I was just another case—they treated my situation with urgency and care. Thanks to their expertise and relentless effort, I was able to recover the full amount I had lost. Words can’t express how grateful I am for their support. SUPREME ASSETS RECOVERY truly delivered on their promise, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone facing financial fraud. Their integrity, professionalism, and results speak for themselves. Email: supremeassetrecovery07@gmail.com

    MONICA
  • It’s an honor to share my testimony with the world. You merit all the accolades that mention you. Lord Meduza has been a gift to me since our meeting online. He is the only one that knows everything about creating spells. I adore him immensely for his kindness, compassion, integrity, and the support he offers to everyone who interacts with him. Without Lord Meduza, I wouldn’t have survived this difficult situation. His magic turned me into a Lottery winner of £177 Million Pounds, transforming my entire life into something beautiful and extraordinary. The numbers he provided for the lottery were transformative, elevating me from grass to grace, and I want to express my eternal gratitude to him. Thank you, sir, for being a source of help to those in need. Anyone who reads this article that requires assistance can reach him via his Email: lordmeduzatemple@hotmail.com or WhatsApp: +1 807 907 2687 as he is unmatched in crafting spells.

    Wendy Gunn

Leave a comment

Close (esc)

Christmas Hours

23rd Dec - 10-6.30

24th-28th Dec - Closed

29th - 30th Dec - 2pm - 6.30pm

31st Dec - 1st Jan Closed

Open as usual from 2nd Jan

Age verification

By clicking enter you are verifying that you are old enough to drink alcohol.

Search

Main menu

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty.
Shop now