Ep.47 Behind-the-Scenes at Double-Barrelled Brewery

With Cassie Greenman

Episode Description:

In this episode, Cassie Greenman, Taproom Shift Manager and Brewery and Warehouse Assistant at Double-Barrelled Brewery, shares the fascinating journey of the brewery and her diverse roles within it.

Cassie discusses how Double-Barrelled began as a unique wedding favour brewed by founders Mike and Lucy in 2015, evolving into a successful business that opened in November 2018. She highlights the brewery’s recent expansion into major supermarkets while maintaining its microbrewery status, producing 1.3 million pints annually.

This episode also details the meticulous brewing process, from grinding malt and creating wort to boiling with hops and fermentation, and explains how spent malt is given to a local farmer to feed cows, ensuring no waste. Cassie offers insights into Double-Barrelled’s most popular beers, Parka and Ding Lager, and addresses the challenges faced by women in the craft beer industry, while celebrating the brewery’s inclusive environment.

Finally, Cassie reflects on Reading’s rich brewing history, particularly the Simmons Brewery, and emphasises the importance of evolution, adaptation, and community collaboration among modern brewers. She underscores Double-Barrelled’s commitment to fostering a thriving local community through various events and a welcoming atmosphere.

Double-Barrelled website: www.doublebarrelled.co.uk/

Double-Barrelled Socials:

Check out the online Double-Barrelled Shop:

Double-Barrelled Shop

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Episode Time Codes

00:00 Greeting

00:22 Introduction to Cassie

00:57 Introduction to Double-Barrelled

02:14 Location of Double-Barrelled

02:30 Cassie’s roles at Double-Barrelled

03:33 Trade customers (where you can find Double-Barrelled beers in Reading and Supermarkets)

04:39 How much beer Double-Barrelled produces

05:46 What is the process for making beer at Double-Barrelled

10:11 Where are the ingredients sourced from

12:26 Double-Barrelled’s most popular beer

13:39 Non-alcoholic beers and other options at Double-Barrelled

14:28 Challenges Cassi has faced in the industry

16:59 The history of beer In Reading

19:06 What can modern brewers learn from the past

20:50 Local groups and resources if you’re interested in learning more about brewing

22:23 Final thoughts

Videos

How Beer is Brewed

The History of Beer in Reading, UK

Past Lessons for Modern Brewers

Beer Brewing Resources & Groups

Key takeaways

Embrace Innovation and Adaptation for Growth: Double-Barrelled’s journey from a wedding favour to supplying major supermarkets like Waitrose and Tesco’s demonstrates the power of continuous evolution. This highlights the importance of adapting strategies and experimenting with new recipes or offerings to seize growth opportunities and overcome challenges.

Community and Collaboration are Vital Assets: Cassie highlights the importance of leaning on one another rather than solely viewing each other as competitors. This suggests that building strong relationships, collaborating with other businesses.

Customer-Centricity and Inclusivity Expand Your Market: Double-Barrelled actively caters to a broad audience, offering non-alcoholic options and ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere at their taproom. This focus on inclusivity, even in a product-specific industry like brewing, allows them to attract a wider range of customers beyond traditional beer drinkers.