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Search forMPs sample Retford brew in Parliament bar
Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 00:00
Bassetlaw MP John Mann is among those sampling the Retford pint 'Two Water Grog' as it features as a guest beer in The Strangers Bar in the Houses of Parliament.
The pint is one of 15 brewed by micro-brewery owner John Allcroft, who is based at the Packet Inn pub in Retford.
Mr Mann first tasted 'Two Water Grog' during one of his recent surgeries and took a liking to it.
Mr Allcroft went about seeing if he could get the beer served to MPs in London as a guest beer.
Mr Allcroft said: "John Mann had a surgery at our pub and tried a pint of Two Water Grog and liked it, so I told him I'd try and get the pint down to him in London to try.
"The beer went down extremely well. Those that tried it seemed to really enjoy it, including John Mann who I met down there."
Mr Allcroft has been in the brewing business for about 40 years and has owned the Grafton Brewing Company at the Packet Inn since 2006.
He also owns the Grafton Hotel pub in Worksop.
"I initially got involved to supply our own pubs but things escalated," he said.
Now, through a distributor, Mr Allcroft's beers are sold at a number of Weatherspoon pubs across the country, including the Dominie Cross in Retford.
Today, with the help of his head brewer Paul Hale, the Grafton Brewing Company produces about 15 barrels a week, the equivalent of more than 4,300 pints.
As well as Two Water Grog, other popular pints include Blondie, Lady Mary and Hayloft.
John Mann, a fan of the real ales, said the pint went down a storm in Parliament.
"I am concerned about the difficulties that our local pubs are currently facing and this was a perfect opportunity to promote a local pub that it is putting a lot of effort into producing a good local brewed beer," he said.
"I not only hope my fellow MPs get a taste for Two Water Grog but I'm also keen to encourage Retford people to visit The Packet Inn and sample the beer for themselves."
Mr Mann said because of its popularity it could feature as a guest beer again in the near future.
Members of the public will be able to sample some of the different beers Mr Allcroft brews during a 'Meet the Brewer' evening which is being held at the Dominie Cross, Retford, on November 3 from 7.30pm.
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