On 9th May, Batemans welcomed a rather special group of visitors through our brewery doors
Instead of their usual annual family trip to Norfolk, Michael Davenport gathered his four sons and brother and headed to Wainfleet for a VIP Batemans experience.
Michael secured the visit through a Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) charity auction – an organisation he has been part of for over 20 years. LRSN supports farming and the families and rural workers who keep Lincolnshire thriving, so it felt fitting that his prize brought him somewhere equally rooted in Lincolnshire tradition and community spirit.
With the Davenport family’s long connection to quality Lincolnshire produce – including their award-winning Cote Hill cheeses – the anticipation for the day was already high. From the moment they stepped into the Windmill Bar, it was clear this visit would be one to remember.
What followed was a relaxed afternoon, filled with stories, laughter, beer tasting, and a rare brewery moment involving one of the last remaining bottles of a 50-year-old Batemans beer.
The Davenport–Batemans Connection
The Davenport family’s connection to Batemans goes beyond this visit alone. Their award-winning Cote Hill cheeses, produced on the family farm at Osgodby in Lincolnshire, already feature a Batemans touch.
Joe Davenport uses Batemans XXXB to wash the rind of the Cote Hill Lindum cheese, giving the cheese its signature pink-orange rind and unique flavour. While many of the cheeses are now stocked in Waitrose stores across the country, the craft and care behind them remain proudly Lincolnshire – just like Batemans.
With such a close connection to Batemans already in place, the family were more than ready to see where the brewing magic happens.
A Day to Remember
The VIP day began with a warm welcome from Stuart Bateman, who personally guided the family through the brewery. As they explored the brewhouse, Stuart shared the stories, milestones and memories that have shaped Batemans over the generations – the kind of history you only hear when you’re shown around by someone who’s lived it.
The tour continued in the Windmill Bar, where the Davenports sampled a range of Batemans beers while comparing tasting notes and enjoying plenty of conversation along the way.
And just as they thought the day couldn’t get any better, Stuart invited them into the brewery’s “inner sanctum” – the Head Brewer’s personal sample room.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Beer
Very few visitors ever get the chance to enter the Head Brewer’s sample room, making this a true VIP moment. As a special gesture, and thank-you for the Davenport family’s long-standing support Stuart opened one of the final remaining bottles of a 50-year-old Batemans BBB at 7.5% ABV.
The reaction was unforgettable. Joe Davenport described the beer as a completely new tasting experience:
“A mouthful of flavours; beer, brandy, sherry, vanilla and fruit; fantastic!”
For Michael, the rare beer was the highlight of an “interesting, entertaining and informative” visit, describing the 50-year-old ale as simply “delicious”.
Days like this remind us why we do what we do – bringing people together through great beer, shared stories and true Lincolnshire hospitality.
