Something Brewing in the Heart of Southampton

As I trudge, begrudgingly up my garden path like some Antarctic explorer, the grass crunches under foot and the crisp cold seeps deep into my toes. The shed that contains my locked bike looms out of the pale moonlight.

Cycling to work, my face is frozen and my fingers are feeling like frostbite but the sky is now turning a thin grey-blue and distant vapour trails trace a pinkish web over the firmament. Shortly, the garish orange glow in the East becomes the sunrise over Segensworth. 

The frost still lies thick on the ground but above the cold car parks and grim and grimy buildings of the industrial estate, the morning sky now burns a brilliant azure; it’s going to be a cracking day.

The fragile beauty of Winter still holds the hope of Spring within its vice tight grip, singing in the wind, vibrating in the sharp shards of ice and even seeping through the weeping rain and snow. It’s all too easy to wish for shorts and the sizzle of a Mid-Summer sun but the wheel of the year turns steadily and we must first start our search for signs of change.

Speaking of seasons, I am delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration between the Urbane Forager and Southampton based beer behemoth Unity brewing Co. Head brewer Jimmy Hatherley wants to create a sophisticated new range of seasonal Wild beers and the Urbane Forager is a perfect fit as a partner for this project.

I popped down with some friends, to meet Jimmy in his taproom and supped some of his awesome ales. We also sampled some of my own 2016 Elder-flower Champagne and Cider; by the end of the evening I would have agreed to almost anything. However, seasonal foraging is my strongest suit. So, we shall soon see what fresh flavours we can bring to the Unity taproom table. 

In the meantime, I definitely recommend visiting Unity brewing if you are in the area, or buying their merchandise from a Southampton pub/off-licence.

Signs of Spring - In January?



A Blooming Frosty Rose in January!



I don’t want to perpetuate the myth that people in England just talk about the weather all the time, but it has been a rubbish Winter so far. In fact, compared to last year when we had lots of snow, frost and ice; December and January have been positively Springlike.

Snowdrops Out in December!

Hopefully, making statements like this will tempt fate and Jack-Frost will soon return with a vengeance, we certainly had a frost this morning. Everyone moans about the cold but it does make the arrival of Spring so much more welcome and wonderful, when it finally comes.

Frost on Wild Strawberry Leaves...

At the moment, we have bluebells in our garden and wild roses in bloom alongside last season’s hips.

I'll Have Some of That For My Frost Collection

I have even spotted trees with fresh blossom on them and the hedgerows are showing the green/brown hues of rising sap when they ought to be barren and grey.

A Decent Hoar Frost Will Soon Put a Stop to All This Nonsense