Brewer Q&A: Clive Ham, Butcombe Brewery

This month the beer business catches up with Clive Ham, head brewer at the Butcombe Brewery.

Age? 58, going on 28.

Birthplace? Mary Stanley Nursing Home, Bridgwater, Somerset. Alas, no plaque on the wall.

How did you become a brewer? Avid home brewer followed by a “give us a job” visit to Butcombe Brewery in 1979.

When did you have first your beer epiphany? I have many. Always one hour after mashing, tasting the first-run worts.

Who has been your brewing inspiration? Now retired ex-colleague Lester Bush, mad as a box of frogs. Also, Simon Whitmore, founder of Butcombe.

What was the first beer you brewed and what was it like? Home brewed bitter, using kitchen oven malted barley. It was lovely!

What would you be doing if you weren’t a brewer? Sweeping roads. I hate litter.

If you could have a beer from another brewer, what would it be? Coniston Bluebird, totally different to ours.

What’s your top hop? Styrians. Very versatile.

How would you describe Butcombe Beers in three words? Iconic. Moreish. Addictive.

Favourite Butcombe beer? Butcombe Bitter.

Favourite pub that serves Butcombe? Swan at Rowberrow. Good food and well-kept beers.

What’s the secret to good brewing? Keeping a close eye on raw materials and being proactive.

What is British brewing doing right? Producing excellent varied beers, although not always turned over quickly enough in pubs.

Favourite beer and food match? Jalfrezi and bottled Butcombe Blond.

Which country is making the best beer in the world at the moment? I prefer British Beers.

Advice for any home-brewers out there? Use a decent yeast, to give a good flavour.

How much money have you got on you? I have short arms and long pockets so I don’t know.

What’s the hardest style of beer that you brew? The more challenging the better.

Who would win in a fight between a chimp and two swans? The swans if it was tea time …

What’s your idea of happiness? A walk up the Old Man of Coniston, followed by a pint of Bluebird in the Sun Inn at Coniston.

Who would play you in a film of your life? David Essex in my long haired 20s!

Minstrels or Revels? What are they?

Whisky or Gin? Gin. Frequently ill on whiskey in my 20`s… better not tell my boss who recently gave me a bottle of malt whisky.

What was the last CD you bought? Patsy Cline`s Greatest Hits. Funny how none of my CD`s were taken when I was burgled.

What was the last decent film you watched? Hot Fuzz on TV. Filmed locally. Appealed to my sense of humour.

Can you tell us a joke? Keep it clean, mind. Top Tip … Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night ….

If you could have a beer with anyone from history who would it be and which beer would you choose? Isambard Kingdom Brunel – possibly drinking Butcombe Brunel IPA.

Ben McFarland, 31.03.2011