Skip to main content

Brewery of the Year 2024: Green Jack Brewery

These guys really are a hidden gem in British Brewing.

For the past couple of years, I like to shine a spotlight on a brewery that I think has truly stood out; one that consistently produces exceptional beers, never cuts corners, and reminds me why I fell in love with beer in the first place.

For 2024, there was only one choice: Green Jack Brewery in Lowestoft.

Nestled on the Suffolk coast, Green Jack might not have the hype of some trendy city breweries, but what it does have is cracking beers that have been brewed with excellence in mind.

I have to say that I came across these guys while on a stay in Norfolk and only found them after a recommendation by The Urban Viking (thanks Dave) and as I was staying so close to them, I couldn’t resist going to see them.

I turned up unannounced, but I have to say that they were very welcoming, their owner, Tim Dunford, was in at the time and took a little time out to show me around and recommended some beers of theirs to try.
The brewery is actually based in an old smokehouse, and the whole place just seems to hint at a small team of individuals that were just dedicated to producing simple, but great quality beers.

And if I had to pick one beer that epitomises why I love this brewery? Baltic Trader. A powerful, bold, and utterly mesmerising imperial stout that proves British brewing is alive and well.

So, let’s talk about why Green Jack is my Brewery of the Year for 2024.

A Brewery That Does It All – And Does It Exceptionally Well

Some breweries are known for one or two standout beers, but for me, Green Jack excels across the board. Whether it’s a wheatbeer, a best bitter, or a heavyweight imperial stout, every single beer they brew is beautifully crafted and full of character.

What I love most about Green Jack is that they don’t chase trends. They don’t jump on the hazy IPA bandwagon to try to gain favour with drinkers. They brew proper beer, the right way, with no gimmicks; just skill, patience, and top-quality ingredients.

Not Tried Them Yet?
So if you haven’t yet had the pleasure of drinking a Green Jack beer, do yourself a favour and seek them out. 

Whether it’s the boozy brilliance of Baltic Trader, the smooth richness of Lurcher Stout, or the traditional charm of Trawlerboys, you’re in for a treat.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

My Three Top Posts

Vatted Black Beer - What!

On a recent trip to Eastbourne, I had the great pleasure of bumping into this 'style' with the Monolith Vatted Black Beer from Burning Sky Brewery. Wow, what a beer, I scored it 10/10 . I've never come across this beer style before, so I was interested in learning a little more about it. What is Vatted Black Beer? Vatted black beer is a dark ale aged in wooden vats, Burning Sky Monolith was aged in Chianti barrels for three years. Like all similar beers, this leaved a rich, complex flavour that’s really is amazing and hard to beat. Sometimes these beers might have wild yeasts introduced or other micro-flora. The efforts that brewers go throught to produce these beers cannot be over-exaggerated, they are time consuming to produce and there are financial risks of cellaring beers, but the results can be stunning.  A VERY Brief History Lesson This beer style dates back to the 18th century. Back then, brewers used wooden vats to store their beer. Over time, they noti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Pale Ale Appreciation Society

After a recent review that I have put together for a fruity and hoppy pale ale, I was shocked to discover that there isn’t a Pale Ale Appreciation Society, and I think there should be. Before some clever brewer realised that there were some lovely flavours to be got from an India Pale Ale (IPA), pale ales were bees knees; drinkers admired their drinkability, there balance of mild sweetness against the mild hoppy bitterness, but it just seems that today, as they don’t have the alcohol punch or the intense hop bitterness that characterises some modern day IPAs, pale ales seem to have proper fallen out of favour amongst drinkers. For one like think that there is still a place in the glass for a pale ale, and that they have much to offer, especially for those who enjoy a subtler, more refined beer experience (like I do sometimes). A Very Quick History Lesson Pale ales were first brewed in the early 1700’s as an alternative to the darker, richer and more robust ales that were around at the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring - better than Landlord?

Welcome to what could be a controversial blog post, and let me get straight to the point ..  I prefer Knowle Spring over Landlord; I know, probably not something you hear often, but let me explain. I think that Timothy Taylor's Knowle Spring, has a fairly unique character and delightful flavours. As we explore this blonde beer, we'll also draw some comparisons with its beter known sibling, Landlord, to help you understand why I think Knowle Spring is probably the best beer in the Timothy Taylor family (but only just!).   Introducing Knowle Spring to You All I first had this wonder beer about five years ago in a country pub in Yorkshire (the name escapes me), but I instantly fell for this beer.  This 4.2% ABV Knowle Spring is a relatively recent addition to Timothy Taylor's lineup, having been introduced in 2017. This Golden Ale was created to offer a lighter, more refreshing option compared to some of the brewery's other offerings. The name actually comes from the sprin...
Post a Comment
Read more