XT Brewing Co.

XT Brewing Co. is an independent English microbrewery based at Notley Farm Estate in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire. Russell Taylor and Gareth Xifaras founded the brewery in 2011, establishing it as a local producer with an initial emphasis on cask-conditioned beer. Its brewing operation was designed around a 20-barrel brew length and has subsequently expanded to support a broader range of packaging and distribution formats, including kegs, bottles and cans. The brewery’s principal identity is the XT range, whose core beers are generally numbered from XT1 through XT9. The numbering provides a recognizable house structure and broadly follows a progression toward darker beer styles as the numbers rise. Alongside this core portfolio, XT produces seasonal and specialty beers, allowing it to work with different ingredients, styles and occasions. Some beers are sold under the Animal Brewing Co. label, whose names draw on animals, animal noises or animal-related slang rather than the numbered XT format. Growth has been supported by investment in the brewery. A building and equipment expansion project was undertaken in 2015 to increase production capacity. A further capacity increase followed in 2017 in connection with the introduction of Eisbar Lager. These changes helped the brewery move beyond a predominantly cask-focused model and accommodate additional keg, bottle and can production. XT has also pursued collaborative and experimental brewing. Its specialty output has included beers associated with local celebrations, the Magna Carta, collaborations with other breweries and projects involving food specialists such as Will Torrent. The brewery has participated in the development and promotion of English hop varieties with the British Hop Association and Charles Faram’s hop-breeding programme. This work is intended to widen the range of hop flavors available from domestic varieties and provide alternatives to imported hops. One experimental result, Brit Hop, was presented at the 2017 Great British Beer Festival. Community activity is an important part of the brewery’s local profile. XT is a founding member of the Alliance of Oxford Brewers and Oxford Beer Week. It has made beers connected with charitable initiatives, including The Lest We Forget project, a nationwide collaboration intended to support an appeal, and fundraising connected with the Florence Nightingale Hospice appeal. The brewery also sponsors Wheatley Rugby Club, Long Crendon Football Club and Thame Town Cricket Club. Its products are distributed across parts of southern, western and central England, while its operations remain rooted in Buckinghamshire.

XT Brewing Company was founded in 2011 by Russell Taylor and Gareth Xifaras at Notley Farm Estate in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire. The brewery began as a small-scale operation with a 20-barrel brew length and a primary focus on cask beer. Its location in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area placed it within a strong network of independent pubs, clubs, breweries and local community organizations. The brewery’s identity developed around two complementary naming systems. Its main XT range uses numbered beers, generally extending from XT1 to XT9 and broadly moving from lighter to darker profiles. The numbered structure gives the brewery a consistent core portfolio while leaving room for different recipes and seasonal releases. A separate Animal Brewing Co. label uses names based on animals, animal sounds and animal-related expressions, providing a more playful identity for selected beers. XT invested in physical expansion in 2015 through building and equipment improvements. The project increased the brewery’s capacity and supported a transition from a predominantly cask-oriented producer toward a business able to supply beer in kegs, bottles and cans. In 2017, another capacity increase was made for the introduction of Eisbar Lager. The brewery’s output consequently came to include core beers, seasonal products, specialty releases and experimental batches. Specialty brewing has included beers created for local celebrations, commemorations and collaborations. XT has produced beers connected with Magna Carta and has worked with other breweries and food specialists, including Will Torrent on a roast cacao beer project. It has also participated in the development of English hop varieties with the British Hop Association and Charles Faram’s hop-breeding programme. This work sought to encourage domestic hop innovation and offer brewers new flavor profiles as alternatives to imported varieties. Brit Hop, one result of the experimental work, was released at the 2017 Great British Beer Festival. The company has maintained a community-facing role. It was a founding member of the Alliance of Oxford Brewers and Oxford Beer Week, and it has produced beers for charitable initiatives. XT initiated The Lest We Forget project, a nationwide collaborative beer effort supporting an appeal, and has also made beers connected with the Florence Nightingale Hospice appeal. Outside brewing, it sponsors Wheatley Rugby Club, Long Crendon Football Club and Thame Town Cricket Club. XT’s beers have been available across southern, western and central parts of England. The available reference material does not establish a later ownership change, stock-market listing, international corporate parent or confirmed current executive structure. The brewery is therefore best described as an independent regional English brewery with a diversified beer portfolio and a continuing local presence.

• 2017

  Capacity expansion for Eisbar Lager

  [1]XT Brewing Companyen.wikipedia.org

  A further capacity increase supports the introduction of Eisbar Lager.

• 2017

  Brit Hop presented at the Great British Beer Festival

  [1]XT Brewing Companyen.wikipedia.org

  XT showcases an experimental beer linked to the development of new English hop varieties.

• 2015

  Building and equipment expansion

  [1]XT Brewing Companyen.wikipedia.org

  XT expands its facilities and equipment to increase brewing capacity.

• 2011

  XT Brewing Company is founded

  [1]XT Brewing Companyen.wikipedia.org

  Russell Taylor and Gareth Xifaras establish the brewery at Notley Farm Estate in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire.

Independent regional English brewery combining a numbered core range with seasonal, experimental, collaborative and community-oriented beers.

• Core beer range

  XT1–XT9

  XT’s principal core range is organized around numbered beers generally identified as XT1 through XT9. The beers follow a broad progression toward darker profiles as the numbers increase, giving drinkers a structured way to navigate the brewery’s portfolio. The range has traditionally been associated with cask service, although XT also produces beer in keg, bottle and can formats.

• Specialty beer range

  Animal Brewing Co. beers

  Animal Brewing Co. is an associated label used for beers whose names draw on animals, animal noises or animal-related slang. The label gives XT an alternative identity to its numbered XT range and provides a playful platform for specialty and seasonal recipes. Specific products and launch dates are not established in the available reference material.

• Lager · 2017

  Eisbar Lager

  Eisbar Lager was introduced in connection with a 2017 increase in XT’s brewing capacity. The additional capacity enabled the brewery to support this lager alongside its established cask range and expanding keg, bottle and can production. Detailed information about its recipe, packaging and current availability is not provided by the available source.

• Experimental beer · 2017

  Brit Hop

  Brit Hop was an experimental beer associated with XT’s participation in the development of new English hop varieties. The project involved the British Hop Association and Charles Faram’s hop-breeding programme, which sought to broaden the flavor possibilities of domestically grown hops. Brit Hop was presented at the 2017 Great British Beer Festival.

• Collaborative specialty beer

  Roast Cacao Beer

  Roast Cacao Beer was a specialty project made in collaboration with food specialists, including Will Torrent. The beer illustrates XT’s use of unusual culinary ingredients and partnerships beyond conventional brewery collaborations. The available source identifies the project but does not provide a confirmed launch date, recipe specifications or continuing availability.

• The Lest We Forget project

  United Kingdom

  XT initiated a nationwide collaborative beer project in support of The Lest We Forget appeal. The initiative brought together breweries around a charitable cause rather than serving only as a conventional product release.

  Outcome. The project produced a collaborative beer intended to support the appeal; the available source does not state the funds raised or final campaign results.

  Source
• Florence Nightingale Hospice appeal beer

  Buckinghamshire · England

  XT produced beer connected with fundraising for the Florence Nightingale Hospice appeal, extending the brewery’s community and charitable activity into a local cause.

  Outcome. The beer supported the hospice appeal; no financial outcome is reported in the available reference.

  Source
• English hop development programme

  England · United Kingdom

  XT partnered with the British Hop Association and Charles Faram’s hop-breeding programme to help develop and test new English hop varieties.

  Outcome. The programme contributed experimental beers such as Brit Hop and promoted domestic hop varieties as alternatives to imported hops.

  Source

• 2017

  Introduce Eisbar LagerProduct launch

  Background

  XT increased its capacity in preparation for adding Eisbar Lager to its portfolio.

  Action taken

  The brewery expanded capacity and introduced Eisbar Lager.

  Aftermath

  Eisbar Lager became part of XT’s expanded product offering; detailed sales or distribution results are not available.

  Source

• 2017

  Release Brit Hop experimental beerProduct launch

  Background

  XT was participating in research and breeding work intended to develop new English hop varieties.

  Action taken

  The brewery produced and presented Brit Hop at the Great British Beer Festival.

  Aftermath

  The release demonstrated the use of emerging domestic hop varieties, although no subsequent commercial results are reported.

  Source

• 2015

  Expand the brewery’s building and equipment baseStrategy

  Background

  XT’s original operation was centered on small-scale production, with a strong emphasis on cask beer.

  Action taken

  The brewery carried out a building and equipment expansion project to increase production capacity.

  Aftermath

  The expansion supported broader production beyond cask beer, including keg, bottle and can formats.

  Source

1. 1XT Brewing Companyen.wikipedia.org
2. 2XT Brewing Co. official websitextbrewing.com