Is that real ale Jim?

Burton-on-Trent has a new ‘alien’ brewer on the patch with the launch of the Black Hole Brewery from its space port at Imex Business Park.

Bob Shardlaw and Richard Swanwick roamed the universe far and wide- even to Edinburgh - for three years on their mission to find suitable premises before landing on their star venue in the cradle of UK brewing.

So, finally, they got lift-off for the ten-barrel-custom-built-plant (from Abbott & Co of Newark) in January with the roll out of Black Hole Bitter (3.8%), straw coloured session ale that they are confident will please the taste buds of the earthmen. Other space themed brews from the duo - who both trained at the brewing industry’s ‘Cape Canaveral’- Brewlab in Sunderland are Red Dwarf (4.5%) and the dark and powerful No Escape (5.2%).

Among ‘starships’ supplied is the Derby cask ale shrine the Brunswick, where leisure management graduate Richard used to pull pints and the 19th century Bell Inn at Smalley. Boggarts is also providing shuttle services, while a further boost was expected from the pioneering SIBA Direct Delivery Scheme.

Curiously, the Black Hole’s premises stand on the site of the former Ind Coope bottling plant where Richard and ex-teacher-cum-tree- surgeon Bob have literally found a hole under the floor filled with old crates and bottles. Extra terrestrial or what Mr Spock?