Episode 7 of The Nant Fawr Brews Podcast is Live

…and if you like a 1970’s detective mystery, you’re in for a treat

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I love the strange bizarre places that this podcast takes me too. This episode combines two of them.

Firstly, the Palmers Brewery in Bridport, Dorset, UK.

Not a strange bizarre place per se, but fascinating nonetheless and it was there that I met (we were on the same tour) the guest on this episode, David Cowan.

It’s David’s recollections of the early part of his career that take us to the truly strange and bizarre place I’m thinking of… Truman’s Brewery on Brick Lane in East London.

Now converted to a multipurpose modern commercial and cultural space, with the beer (and brand) long gone, back in the day this place was legendary… one of the brick-built big beasts of the UK beer industry.

David was a young graduate microbiologist when he walked into the Truman Brewery in 1978 (where there were, at that stage, no other scientists).

His stories from his time there are brilliant.

From stone and metal steps awash with wort, to the generous staff beer ration and the scary reason why you had to be very careful going into some rooms alone.

But the most fascinating story is something of a whodunnit.

A mystery that only a smart young scientist could solve, and when he eventually did, it made a huge difference to the output of one of the UK’s most important breweries.

This episode was fascinating to record and a great listen. Enjoy.

As well as the 1970’s stories we talk about the Palmers Brewery tour and this video (with my photos from my tour and a bit of audio commentary from me over the top) on YouTube makes a good accompaniment to the episode (to watch before or after you listen):

Huge thanks to David for his time, recollections and passion for beer. I look forward to seeing him in Dorset for a pint or three of Palmers soon.

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