What's in a name?

The name of the brewery is probably one of the most important decisions to be made in the early stages of any microbrewery. The name sets the tone for the beers and the ethos behind producing the beers; the name reflects the brand, it conjures up images to the consumer and it represents the aspirations and values of the brewery. Basically, it’s important.

We set up Berkhamsted Brewing Co has the limited business and name for the operating company of our microbrewery. We are based in Berkhamsted, we will brew beer and we are a company or collective – it’s an honest Ronsealesque name i.e. it does what it says on the tin. But I’m not a fan of brewery names that mimic that of their location – sorry Tring. I know it adds gravitas and links to the local community etc but I think it just a bit boring and a little too “are you local?” as per League of Gentlemen. I am, however, a fan of the increasing number of double barrelled animal related names: Baby Ox, Black Sheep, Blue Bee, Blue Monkey, Brewdog, Concrete Cow, Dark Horse, Drunken Duck, Gas Dog, Goose Eye, Mountain Hare, Pig Pub, Red Squirrel and Tipsy Toad to name a few.

We have opted for the name Haresfoot Brewery – there is a valid reason behind this. There is a Haresfoot Farm, School, Housing Estate and Park within Berkhamsted. The name Haresfoot appears to originate from an old house within the parish of St Peter in Berkhampstead (sic) called Harfotes Hall, pictured above. We originally planned to locate the brewery in Haresfoot, and we just continued with the name.

 

We also discovered an old proverb “You must kiss the hare's foot post festum venisti” (Cole’s Dictionary) meaning to be late or too late for dinner. Basically the hare has run away and you are only in time to kiss the print of his foot. So this saying fits in well with our customers staying on for that one last pint.

Incidently, does anyone know who took the "p" out of Berkhamsted?