The secrets of a local beerTouken Craft Brewery

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Philomenn brews quite a bit

Every time I stay in a region I don’t know, I like to discover its specialties, the local artisanal productions. So today I let myself be tempted by a guided tour to discover the secrets of the local beer, the craft beer of the Trégor, the Philomenn.

Getting there

A brewery where locomotives are put in beer

We are about fifteen people at the appointment, the visit begins.
The guide first tells us the history of this building so singular located on the banks of the Jaudy. We learn that it is this red brick building, typical of the industrial architectures of the beginning of the XXth century, which formerly accommodated the locomotives of the small steam train of the Côtes du Nord.

Philomen visite guidée de la Brassrie Touken

Images from the past

It was built by the famous road and bridge engineer Louis Harel de La Noé. Thanks to old photos of the period we imagine the landscape of the past, while today the rails and railway bridges have completely disappeared.

A traditional brewing, union of the elements: earth, water, air, fire

But back to the beer, why Philomenn? We are explained the evolution of this family brewery since its beginnings in 2007, the quantities produced, its establishment in the region… Then we enter the brewery, the smells of soot have now given way to the scents of malt and hops to give a second life to this place full of history and character.

From raw materials to brewing

We 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… we are explained the purpose of each ingredient and we can even touch and smell some samples.

Trappist secrets

Then comes the manufacturing stage: brewing, hopping, fermenting and bottling… these methods of making beer based on ancient and traditional Trappist methods now have no secrets for us.

The tasting: blondes, redheads, browns and then SPOUM

Then we are invited to gather around the bar for a tasting of the different variations of Philomenn: blonde, redhead, white, peaty, stout or spoum. Brewers are on duty and happy to answer our questions. “It will be a redhead for me please!”. Finally we toast while enjoying this beautiful view on the river.

During the tasting, I enjoy a “mousse” with the flavors of Trégor

The Visit

5€

per person

The guided tour of the Philomenn brewery

duration: 1h
Visits possible on Fridays at 11am from April 15 to September 30 and during the All Saints’ Day holidays
And during the summer from July 5 to August 30, visits possible on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11am
visit not suitable for people with reduced mobility and families with young children.
prices: 5€ and 3€ for students and job seekers.
visit not recommended for children under 12 years.

Guided tours

of the Tourist Office