Continued Success for Local Craft Brewery
2011 was a great year for The Backyard Brewhouse. Our production for 2011 against 2010 was up 35%. A fantastic result against the current economic climate, and a trend we have maintained for the last 3 years. This increase can, we believe, be put down in no small part to the consistent high quality of our beers and, in equal measure, to the fact that we were joined by Tom Buckland to become our Sales Accounts manager. With over 30 years of experience in the trade he has proven to be a valued addition to the team.
It was also good for us from a competition perspective, picking up 3 major awards throughout the year. Starting back in March where we picked up National champion, bitters and pale ales at the Society of independent Brewers (SIBA) National Final for our acclaimed Hoard bitter. Then in October, at the SIBA Midlands beer competition, held at the annual Nottingham beer festival, we proudly came away with Bronze in Premium Strong Ales for our ever popular East India IPA and, Gold in Speciality beers for our ginger infused ‘Gold’ bitter.
To enable us to capitalise and build on our successes of 2011, 2012 is going to see us undertaking a major expansion program. An investment totalling almost £200,000 will see the brewery grow from 1400ft2 to 2500ft2 with our existing 5 barrel plant being replaced with a brand new 12 barrel brew house allowing us to produce 50 barrels, (14,500 pints) a week. An increase of 320% on present capacity. In addition to the new brew house, our premises will see a major transformation with the construction of new cold storage to meet the demands of the increased capacity, new offices and staff facilities and the building of a analytical laboratory; An addition which is almost unique amongst breweries of this size.
This investment in premises and equipment will enable us to meet the ever growing demand for our beers both locally and further afield. The additional capacity will allow us to secure contracts with such chains as Punch Taverns, Wetherspoons and Ember Inns, as well as increasing our relationships with wholesale distributors both local and national.
Our Goals for the coming year are three fold:
- To raise production by 250% which will allow us to increase the team from three to five
- To open our first pub. The hunt for the right one is well under way
- To enjoy making beer even more than we have done in the last 3 years
We would like to thank all those who have helped and supported us over the past 3 years, and hope that you all will join us for the ride through 2012 which should prove to be a very exciting journey
Give Tax Breaks To Pubs Which Help The Community, Urge Campaigners
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 25, 2012
Pubs which improve community life should be given tax breaks to help them survive, according to a report by a leading think-tank.
With 16 pubs currently believed to be closing each week, the report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) recommends a 50% business rate relief for those that can prove they act as community hubs.
The report says this would help prevent the loss of more pubs which strengthen local networks, after a survey commissioned by the IPPR found a majority of people see pubs as the best place to keep up to speed with their community.
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) this week reported 140 million fewer pints of beer were sold in pubs last year, as they struggle to cope with competition from supermarkets, increases in tax on beer and changes in consumers’ tastes.
Article taken from Huffington Post UK
Brewery to Install Anaerobic Digester in 1 Million investment
Posted by admin in south west on January 24, 2012
Sharp’s Brewery is working with Truro-based H2OK Water and Energy to expand its production capacity and reduce its impact on the environment through a £1million investment in green technology.
Work has begun on the first phase of an anaerobic digestion system at the brewery in Rock. The project to install the upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), which sees waste liquid from the brewery go through a three-stage treatment process, installed by H2OK. Sharp’s will become the first brewery in the south west to use this form of technology.
Once the capacity has been unlocked, the brewery plans to invest in a second phase, which will see the waste products being turned into biogas to provide heat and power at the site, reducing the liquid waste being sent to the local water treatment plant by 80%.
In order to deliver the project, which will be completed by April, H2OK has partnered with Dutch company, Nijhuis, a leading technology provider in the industrial effluent and anaerobic digestion fields. H2OK and Sharp’s Brewery will also create a new position on site to manage the system full time.
Sharp’s general manager Emma Bebbington commented: “The anaerobic digestion system is a big step forward in helping us to become one of the most environmentally friendly breweries in the UK. ”
Bottle Wreck Porter Awarded Gold by CAMRA
Posted by admin in south east on January 24, 2012
Hammerpot Brewery is delighted to announce that their “Bottle Wreck Porter” has been awarded GOLD in the Porter category at Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) 2012 National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.
The beer, named after a 19th century shipwreck off the coast of Sussex found to be carrying hundreds of bottles of porter, was first brewed in 2007. Since then it has won many Beer of the Festival prizes and four regional awards from both CAMRA and the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). Although several of their other beers have also won awards, this is the first national award to be received by the brewery.
Lee Mitchell, the head brewer at Hammerpot Brewery said, ‘Despite not being driven by awards it is very nice to be recognised and it reflects the efforts of the whole team here.’
Based in Poling, near Arundel, West Sussex, Hammerpot Brewery was established in 2005 by Lee with the intention of producing distinctive, quality craft brewed beers. They now produce at least 12 different beers throughout the year and continue to pursue those same aims.
With their small 5 barrel brew plant Hammerpot Brewery are a micro brewery in the truest sense and are delighted to be able to show that smaller end of the independent brewery sector can make great beers worthy of national recognition.
Health minister praises ‘quality and flavour’ of UK beers
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 20, 2012
At a recent beer reception in London, health minister Anne Milton stated the Government’s support for beer and pubs. “We are supportive of the pub industry, we are supportive of people having a good time,” she said, adding that it was “staggering” how cheaply some of the supermarkets are selling alcohol and recognised that pre-loading presents the licensed trade with a “big problem”.
Milton was speaking to an industry audience at a showcase for 2.8% ABV beers organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group. Several SIBA members including Hopback, Everards, Caledonian and Brentwood served their beers at the event.
SIBA Chairman Keith Bott, who attended the event, said, “SIBA has campaigned for many years for beer, drunk in moderation in pubs, to be recognised as a socially responsible way to enjoy alcohol, so it is good to hear similar messages coming from the health minister.” He added, “Although these 2.8% ABV create interest, it is worth remembering, as the BBPA’s Brigid Simmonds pointed out, that all beers are low in strength compared with other alcoholic drinks.”
For the full article go to: the Publican’s Morning Advertiser
Craft Brewers Conference Keynote Speaker Announced
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 20, 2012
Steve Hindy to Deliver Keynote at Craft Brewers Conference
Register now for the craft brewing industry’s annual gathering
Steve Hindy of Brooklyn Brewery will deliver the keynote address at Craft Brewers Conference (CBC). One look at his impressive resume confirms that his perspective will be entertaining and informative. Read the full release for details.
Insight from professionals like Hindy makes CBC a valuable opportunity for CEOs, brewers, marketers and other beer professionals. CBC is key to succeeding in the industry. Register now and start planning for the brewing industry’s premier education and networking event.
Check out the SMI for the SIBA members’ discount code
SIBA brewers through to Publican Awards finals
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 20, 2012
All four finalists for this year’s Best Pub Operating Microbrewer category in The Publican Awards are SIBA members. Congratulations to: Leeds Brewery, Thornbridge Brewery, Convivial London Pubs and Palmers Brewery.
The Best Pub Operating Microbrewer is a new category, introduced this year. The award will be presented to ‘a company that combines its skills in running a successful microbrewing business with operating quality beer-focused pubs.” The competition was open to brewers producing 10,000 barrels or fewer.
Final judging will be taking place next month and the overall winner announced at the Publican Awards dinner on 27th March. May the best brewer win!
Introduction to Pennine Brewery
Read about the philosophy, brewer and units of alcohol on the pumpclips Pennine Brewery (5mb)
2012 Beer Bloggers Conference
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on January 18, 2012
2012 Beer Bloggers Conference, July 12 –15, 2012 in Indianapolis, IN. 120 to 140 Beer Bloggers and Beer Industry Representatives will be attending this third annual event http://www.BeerBloggersConference.org/
This is a unique opportunity for you to share your beer and build relationships with the people who are behind the “new media” of beer. Specific opportunities are outlined on the attached file. Live Beer Blogging is one of the best opportunities for individual wineries. Specifically, smaller brewers will find Live Beer Blogging to be worth their time and investment.
Do you have an Industry Blog? If so, please email Elle and let her know what it is and who manages it elle@zephyradventures.com We’ll add it to our list of Beer Blogs http://beerbloggersconference.org/blogs/
You can be a part of the conversation now! Join our 3200+ active Twitter followers by clicking here https://twitter.com/#!/beerbloggers , or search for the hashtag on Twitter: #BBC12. Catch us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/BeerBloggersConference
SIBA IS SUPPORTED BY THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES…
"@HardKnottDave I think everyone enjoying it too much drinking and talking to tweet."
"Winners of keg comp will be on website when I can get to my laptop. Fest busy get drinking while u can"
"@HardKnottDave yeah. Was just going to tell you that. Just finished packing up. You got bronze!"
