You would think that brewing in the Hebrides would be a pretty stress free kind of occupation. The worst that might happen would be a bit of a hangover one would imagine.
However - let us tell you - its not as laid back as it may seem. Take this morning for example. Sitting out off the lighthouse hoovering up mackerel in the grey dawn - steady it was after 8 actually.
Then the phone goes. "Its George here I'll be up at the pier in 45 minutes ok."
George the Islay fisherman is key to distribution in our neighbouring island taking full kegs over and bringing empties back. It must be a nuisance for him but he's the kind of guy who likes to help. "Aye fine George see you then”, came the calm reply. Phone down and cue boat fired into life and full speed for the mooring with the lines still trailing. Throw the riser over the post - throw catch (substantial) into dinghy and row like hell for the shore. Find a passing tourist near the car - persuade him to jump in and help - race down to the brewery - load in the kegs and off to the pier just as George comes round the corner
Phew - - act all nonchalant and home for a lie down.
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George the Islay fisherman who kindly takes our kegs to the Port Charlotte fishes the Oransay shores over the summer for well tried reasons and only comes up past the Colonsay Pier every week or so for some fishing reason or other.
We have been phoning and phoning him to ask him to calll in when next passing but to no avail.
Then we are innundated with calls from PC regulars missing their Colonsay IPA. Then finally George phones the slaesman who asks when he's likely to be at our pier for some beer. "Try and keep up" says George. "The beers there", he said. He'd left the phone somewhere but called in by chance thinking it was time for a shipment, managed to get hold of Keith and the job was done. Innundated with calls? Well Mark from Bruichladdich called saying he was missing it. That's almost innundated. By the way, if you are a Malt fan try the new Bruichladdich Peat - it's got that wonderful Bruichladdich smoothness with a sophisticated peat finish, not the TCP style of some Islay malts. Please don't think we just sit round here making beer and drinking malt all day.
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Last year we had a brief experiment with recycling the bottles. Because we use pint bottles the choice is limited and so we use bottles meant for multiple filling as that is allwe can get in the 568 ml size, as bottle companies call it.
Reclycling though proved difficult. We got the proper washing kit and it cleaned them fine, but the labels were left pretty knackered. So we had to come up with a way of removing the labels and applying new ones. Like so often the good idea to save money and help the planet ended up looking like it would cost a bomb and really do little in terms of overall output. Why are we boring you with this. Well green minded visitors for the deepest south of Englandshire returned for their Colonsay break again this year - this time having lugged back 12 empties for reclycling. Most holidaymakers coming here cram in as many home comforts as possible and a bit of Tesco shopping on top - so good on you folks - sorry to have let you down.
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The Environmental Health Department of Argyll and Bute Council made an unannounced visit to the brewery from routine checks today. Always a worrying moment despite the very high levels of cleanliness achieved by brewers Chris and Bob.
Any all was well - had a good chat - and the chap left buying a case of IPA - one of the very best says he. Naturally ever keen to cement relations with officialdom we said there would be no charge for the beer. He did not utter a word - but merely smiled and handed over the right money. Thank you kind sir.
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Wednesday is always a big day during the summer in the brewery shop. Its the day visitors can come from Islay for a few hours on their near neighbour. Today did not look good. Blowing a gale, showers, actually a little cold. The council workers that usually come across on wednesday's didn't come today for fear of not getting back.
So it was going to be a long slow day in the brewery shop. Wrong it was about the busiest day we've had since opening.This despite few brave souls braving it from Islay. So perhaps wet days are good days. Can't go to the beach - lets go to the brewery shop. Who knows?
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