I visited the UK's oldest licensed brewery, the Three Tuns, in Shropshire, which has been licenced since 1642. One of its key features is that all transfers can be carried out using gravity:
- all raw materials are brought to the top of the tower, and then each movement of materials or fluids is carried out using gravity - not pumps
My question is: does this provide a difference in flavour, texture or other qualities to beers from those breweries that use pumps? I can imagine it might, as pumps cause agitation that won't exist in a simple pipe letting liquid flow downhill.
(additional information: the Three Tuns is well worth a visit - all the beers on show that day were delicious)