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Wooden Hand Brewery - Tasting Notes

The Story Behind the Brewery

The Wooden Hand of the Brewery's title is named after the 'Black Hand' of John Carew of Penwarne, in the Parish of Mevagissey. Old Carew lost his own in the savage fighting at the great siege of Ostend (1601-1604) in the reign of Elizabeth I.

23 December 1601 - The British defenders had been decimated by the Spanish siege and in a desparate ploy they opened negotiations for surrender with the attackers, hoping to buy enough time to allow their relief fleet to arrive in their storm-bound ships. The ambassadors were jostled and confused as much as possible; delayed, expelled, re-admitted and befuddled by their 'hosts'. Exhausted and famished, the Spaniards begged for at least a pipe of tobacco. They were informed that "no such medicinal drugs existed in the city, but that a draught of Good English Ale was much at their service" and was brought forward in four foaming tankards. The negotiations continued in this fashion until dawn on Boxing Day, when on the horizon there appeared the sails of the British Fleet.

It was during this desprate period that John Carew lost his right hand on the ramparts of the city. He is recorded by Daniell in his history as having retrieved the severed object and returning to his quarters in the evening, held out the shattered limb in his left hand saying "There is the hand that cut the pudding in the morning".

The Original Wooden Hand made to replace this lost member - startlingly lifelike, with articulated fingers and brass joints - has been passed down the generations of Carew's descendants, so it is in the tradition of Cornish heroism and derring-do that we brew our fabulous ales!

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