The United Kingdom certainly has some of the world’s most quirky and silly town names – not in an inelegant way, rather, it adds a layer of charm to the place. Puddletown and Piddlehinton are no exception, set among the rolling chalk hills a few miles away from the county town of Dorchester, it is here where you will find a premium, independent craft ale brewer, Piddle Brewery, well named if you ask me.
Their witty names extend to their craft beers - ‘Piddle’ is what they call their Dorset Amber Ale, and is a signature blend of theirs for good reason. The premium amber ale is refreshing and well balanced, with a hint of citrus - it’s one of those ales that’s best when served ice cold, sipped on the beach while your senses are being soothed by the gentleness of the waves.
Pictured: A look inside the lab at Piddle Brewery
Piddle Brewery – History and Heritage
Piddle Brewery began life in 2007, tucked into the heart of the Piddle Valley in Piddlehinton, with a clear connection to its Dorset surroundings. A change of ownership in 2014 marked a turning point, bringing a refreshed identity and the start of a period of steady, purposeful growth — with a new milestone reached almost every year since.
In 2015, Piddle expanded into cider with the launch of Ciddle Middle, soft and gently rounded, and Ciddle Dry - a sharper, crisper cider that went on to win international awards. The following year saw major investment with the installation of an in-house bottling line, allowing Piddle’s beers and ciders to travel far beyond the valley. 2016 also marked the introduction of No.1, a clean, confident standard lager that signalled a move towards more defined, structured brewing.
Consistency became key in 2017 with the installation of brewery-wide cooling, laying the groundwork for greater precision. This paid off in 2018 with the launch of Breakin Wave, a premium lager that pours bright and smooth, with a refined, almost regal finish. By 2019, that same temperature control allowed Piddle to return to Nottingham yeast which brought greater depth, complexity and character to every brew.
What Is Craft Beer?
Craft beer is a specific term that belongs to small, local, independent breweries – craft, because they emphasise unique flavours not typically available in big supermarkets. They're exclusive and bespoke, with some breweries offering exceptionally good tasting ale that feel like a well-kept secret – "if you know you know" type of vibes.
Ale and lager are both types of beer, but their distinct names come down to their different brewing styles, giving each type a unique taste. The fundamental difference lies in the yeast and fermentation process. Ales use top-fermenting yeast that works at warmer temperatures (typically 15-24°C), resulting in a faster fermentation that usually takes just a week or two. This warm fermentation produces fruity, complex flavours with more body and character. Lagers, on the other hand, use bottom-fermenting yeast that prefers cooler temperatures (around 7-13°C) and take longer to brew – often several weeks. This slower, colder process creates a cleaner, crisper taste with subtle flavours.
Piddle Brewery uses Nottingham yeast in their brewing process – a reliable ale yeast known for producing clean, well-balanced flavours whilst still maintaining that characteristic ale complexity. This choice reflects their commitment to crafting quality ales with a distinctive taste that sets their beers apart from mass-produced alternatives.
Pictured: Hive Craft Pale Ale, brewed exclusively for us by Piddle Brewery
Why Are Beers Different Colours?
The colour of beer – whether it's a pale golden lager, a rich amber ale, or a dark stout – comes down to the malt used during brewing. Malt is grain (usually barley) that's been soaked, allowed to germinate and then dried in a kiln. The key is in how long and at what temperature the malt is roasted.
Pictured: At the Piddle Brewery lab, on the right you will see the difference in colour between a pale ale and a lager
Lightly kilned malts create pale, golden beers. These malts are dried quickly at lower temperatures, preserving their light colour and producing crisp, clean flavours – perfect for lagers and pale ales. As you increase the roasting time and temperature, the malt darkens and develops richer, more complex flavours. Medium-roasted malts give you amber and copper-coloured beers like many IPAs and bitters, bringing notes of caramel and toffee. Push the roasting further still, and you get dark malts that create the deep brown and black hues of porters and stouts, along with flavours of chocolate, coffee, and roasted nuts.
Brewers often blend different malts to achieve exactly the colour and flavour profile they're after. So when you pour a pint and admire its colour, you're seeing the result of careful malt selection – each shade telling you something about the flavours you're about to experience.
Where Can I Buy Piddle Brewery Beers?
Piddle Brewery products are available to purchase in bottles, kegs and casks via their online shop. At the Hive Beach Café, we’ve collaborated with the brewery to craft our own blend of lager and beer whose flavours are exclusively available on our website.
Pictured: Hive Craft Lager, available in our Beer & Cider collection
