The Top-Notch Brewing Company
Born out of a passion for home brewing, The Top-Notch Brewing Company is a 1 Brewer’s Barrel Brewery in Mid-Sussex producing a modest 1600 litres/2816 pints per year. It is located in a converted residential outbuilding in Haywards Heath, and consists of a 200 litre Electric Hot Liquor Tank, a 160 litre Insulated Mash Tun and a 200 litre Gas “Copper” Boiler. Each recipe is carefully hand-crafted using the finest raw ingredients and products are fermented, bottled and packaged on the premises.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
