Michael Fabricant today visited Quartz Brewery in Kings Bromley to meet
the husband and wife team who have abandoned careers in big business to
establish their own micro-brewery. "Having tried both Quartz Blonde and
Quartz Crystal, I think their career change is well worth it!" exclaims
Michael. "I will now recommend their beers be made available as guest
beers in the House of Commons".

Julia and Scott Barnett first met in 1992 at the International Brewing
Conference in Harrogate. It was love at first sight. They married in
1994 and both worked for major brewing companies in Birmingham and
Burton until they decided to found ‘QuartzBrewing’ in the summer of
2005. Scott was originally educated at Strathclyde University where he
studied electronics and computing and Julia has a Masters of Business
Administration from the University of Warwick as well as the coveted
Master of Brewing qualification.

Julia says "My aim is for our micro-brewery to expand organically
throughout Staffordshire by word of mouth – by people who like our beer
and its unique flavour and then spread the word. We want people to
enjoy our beer and then, in a few years time, who knows what might
happen".

Scott says "We want to be professional in everything we do – in our
brewing and in our marketing. But we always want to maintain that
personal touch with publicans and, indeed, with the customers who buy
our beer".

Julia adds "I want people to change their expectations. Lager does not
have to be tasteless and bitter does not have to be sharp and thin.
European lagers have a distinct and full flavour and this is what we are
aiming for in our real ale which combines the best of a lager and a
bitter".

Having tried Quartz Crystal and Quartz Blonde, Michael Fabricant
comments: "My personal favourite is the Blonde. It is just under 4%,
looks like a lager, has the full and hoppy taste of a European lager,
but the creaminess of a good Burton bitter. Once tried, I don’t think
drinkers would turn back to a regular lager or ale. The Blonde seems to
combine the best of both worlds and I hope it will become more available
in Lichfield and Burntwood pubs. I wish Julia and Scott well and I will
now press the House of Commons to introduce Quartz Blonde and Quartz
Crystal as guest ales in their bars."

The two photographs show Michael with Scott and Julia Barnett sampling
their beer and Michael with Julia, a Master of Brewing, in their
laboratory looking at their unique blend of hops.

For further information see: www.quartzbrewing.co.uk