Lincolnshire brewing that goes back to 1874, when George Bateman swapped farming for beer, though by the family's own telling it was Susannah who brewed first, in her kitchen, alongside the bread. Four generations on they still lean on traditional methods and good malt and hops, under the slogan Good Honest Ales.
Batemans call themselves craft brewers who brew by instinct, not numbers, and the core range backs it up: XXXB, a malty, multiple-CAMRA-champion classic, sits alongside Victory Ale, Yella Belly Gold, 5G, Triple Hop and Combined Harvest. Beyond the core beers they run Monthly Specials, among them a light golden ale late-hopped with Chinook and Bramling Cross for resinous, lemony notes, plus a full-bodied dark amber Christmas beer for the festive season.