This web site updated 28th JULY 2010
Back in 1995, a group of friends were drinking in a Walsall pub, discussing the latest news about the local brewery which had just been bought by the management from Bass. They knew that the chances of success were dependant on locals supporting the brewery and explored different ways of giving practical help. Apart from drinking the “Highgate Mild” which they already did, they came up with the idea of a “Friends of....” group to give first hand support direct to the brewery, and Friends of Highgate Brewery was born. At our regular monthly meetings, six at Highgate Brewery and six at pubs selling Highgate Beers, we socialize with like minded people and our organised tours to other breweries and beer related places usually sell out very quickly. We have supported and worked at several events over the years, purchased and erected the Centenary gates in 1998, assisted with painting and decorating the brewery, and maintained a high profile at the Walsall Beer Festival. We are now helping to run Highgate Brewery Tours in the evenings, and anyone interested in gathering a party of 10 or more and trying some of the beers can get further information from the brewery on 01922 644453.
With the help of Highgate Brewery we fund raise for various local charities (see Charity Work) but our main project is fundraising for Walsall Breast Cancer Self Help Group (£2000.00 Donation at last AGM). The total amount raised for all of our Donations since 1995 is well over £19,000 and we only boast about 240 members! Obviously the friends rely on a capable committee of dedicated volunteers who give up a lot of their time to organise and co-ordinate events, and the day to day management of resources, and the unfailing support of the membership, who come on trips with us, drink beer in the pubs, and send in their annual subscriptions of only £5 a year (£7.50 joint membership).
Don’t forget that bottled beer is available from the Brewery at discount prices, but only with your current FOHB. Membership Card.
Highgate Brewery Established in 1898, Highgate is a unique Victorian tower brewery, still using original recipes, equipment, and the finest of ingredients, to produce quality ale which is brewed not manufactured.
Update The brewery was bought out from Bass brewers by a management team led by Steve Nuttall and Neil Bain, on 25th October 1995.Many changes have taken place since, and Steve is no longer with Highgate. Global Star,a Smetwick based company, have bought the Brewery ,and have promised to invest much needed cash to continue brewing here, and supply their estate of 100 pubs. Another coup was the brewing of Davenports Top Brew Deluxe to the original recipe by the original Davenports brewers, and now Davenports Bitter is a regular at all Highgate houses. The number of employees has also risen from 13 in 1995 to a present level of over 40.
The objectives of the Friends of Highgate are”to promote Highgate Brewery as part of the historical and cultural heritage of Walsall and as a centre for the preservation of the brewing of ale according to traditional methods, and to support any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community”.
Continued on About Us 2 (Just put mouse pointer over About Us tab to reveal)
Update The brewery was bought out from Bass brewers by a management team led by Steve Nuttall and Neil Bain, on 25th October 1995.Many changes have taken place since, and Steve is no longer with Highgate. Global Star,a Smetwick based company, have bought the Brewery ,and have promised to invest much needed cash to continue brewing here, and supply their estate of 100 pubs. Another coup was the brewing of Davenports Top Brew Deluxe to the original recipe by the original Davenports brewers, and now Davenports Bitter is a regular at all Highgate houses. The number of employees has also risen from 13 in 1995 to a present level of over 40.
The objectives of the Friends of Highgate are”to promote Highgate Brewery as part of the historical and cultural heritage of Walsall and as a centre for the preservation of the brewing of ale according to traditional methods, and to support any charitable purpose for the benefit of the community”.
Continued on About Us 2 (Just put mouse pointer over About Us tab to reveal)
ABOUT US