What it's Wort

It makes some peoples’ stomachs turn, but I cherish the heavily malted air that wafts down corridors of East Sheen and Barnes when it’s brewing time at Stag brewery in Mortlake.

Some days it’s so strong it must infuse nearby residents’ line-dried washing with a malty freshness.

Spokesperson for AB InBev, Mike Kelly, said: “As part of the brewing process wort is boiled up in the kettles and this leads to the distinctive aroma.”  

Over the summer it was announced the brewery’s anticipated closure would be postponed until at least December 2011, citing strong sales of Budweiser.I’m going to enjoy that distinctive and rare aroma while it lasts.

This post appears in the November issue of Living In Barnes & East Sheen.