Philomenn Brasserie ToukenFifteen or so of us make the rendezvous, and the tour begins.
The guide begins by telling us about the history of this singular building on the banks of the Jaudy. We learn that this red-brick building, typical of the industrial architecture of the early 20th century, once housed the locomotives of the Côtes du Nord steam train.
Philomen visite guidée de la Brassrie Touken
It was built by the famous bridge and roadway engineer Louis Harel de La Noé. Thanks to old photos, we can imagine the landscape of yesteryear, when the rails and railway bridges have completely disappeared.
But back to the beer, why Philomenn? We’re told how this family brewery has evolved since its beginnings in 2007, the quantities produced, its presence in the region… Then we enter the brewery, where the smell of soot has been replaced by the scent of malt and hops, giving a second life to a place steeped in history and character.
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Bar PhiloWe go behind the scenes of the brewery, and upstairs we enter the storage room for the raw materials used to make beer. Water, hops, yeast, malt… each ingredient is explained to us, and we can even touch and smell a few samples.
Then comes the production stage: brewing, hopping, fermentation and bottling… these beer-making methods, based on ancient and traditional Trappist methods, now hold no secrets for us.
Then we’re invited to gather around the bar for a tasting of Philomenn’s different variants: blonde, red, white, peaty, stout or spoum. Brewers are on hand to serve and answer our questions. “It’ll be a redhead for me, please! Finally, we toast to the beautiful view of the river.
During the tasting, I enjoy a “mousse” with the flavours of Trégor.
Philomenn Brasserie Touken
