Success sees local entrepreneur open micro-brewery
• Ainsty Ales Brewery opens its own micro-brewery in Acaster Malbis
• Firm focussed on growth and expansion across the UK and abroad
• Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard support company with funding deal
Left to Right - Andy Herrington Owner of Ainsty Ales with Gary Butterfield from Royal Bank of Scotland
Following two successful years in business, developing the Ainsty Ales brand across the Greater York Region, local entrepreneur Andy Herrington has opened up his own craft-ale micro-brewery.
Funded with support from Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard, the brewery, which is located at Manor Farm Buildings on Intake Lane, Acaster Malbis, York, will produce 1,080 gallons of cask-ale per week to begin with and will house production of all six Ainsty Ales core-beers.
Established in 2014, Ainsty Ales is the brewery behind the popular ‘Flummoxed Farmer’, ‘Wankled Waggoner’ ales and will be imminently adding ‘Ainsty Angel’ a 3.7% Pale Ale, ‘Crafty Chocolatier’ a 4.8% Chocolate-Porter, ‘Kolkata Karma’ a 5.0% IPA and ‘Moloko Mild’ a 3.9% Mild. The brand has developed a strong following in the region with its products being sold in a wide range of pubs, sports clubs and hotels in the Greater York area as well as in 12 local Costcutter stores.
To date the firm had ‘cuckoo brewed’ its products at both the local Blass Castle Brewery and larger Hambleton’s Brewery but increasing demand for the brewer’s beers has necessitated the creation of its own production facility. The opening is a major step in Ainsty Ales Breweries impressive growth strategy which is now focussed on securing distribution in more outlets across the region. The firm also plans to introduce its products to outlets in London and is actively pursuing exporting opportunities with the help of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Royal Bank of Scotland has supported the development of the micro-brewery and Lombard, the bank’s asset finance arm has also provided finance for brew-kit, three fermenting vessels and three conditioning tanks.
Ainsty Ales Brewery has recently been shortlisted for the 2016 New Business Award in The Press Business Awards 2016 which are run by The York Press.
Andy Herrington, Owner of Ainsty Ales Brewery, said: “I am thrilled that the company has developed so quickly and that we have now found ourselves in the position of opening our own micro-brewery.
“Brewing started out as a hobby for me and I am so pleased that I am able to run a business I am passionate about. When setting up Ainsty Ales, I focused on developing the products and promoting the brand locally so that I knew we had a solid customer base in place before making the huge investment into our own brewery. I think this strategy has really paid off and I am confident now that the business can sustain the costs of its own brewery. The site has plenty of capacity to accommodate our growth and we will be able to produce double the volumes of ales we currently brew. I am really excited about the future and focussed on increasing sales throughout the country and abroad.
“Royal Bank of Scotland and Lombard have been extremely supportive of my business plans and it has been great to work alongside Gary Butterfield and Tracy Brown who have provided a great deal of guidance throughout this process.”
Gary Butterfield, Business Manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Andy’s passion for his business is plain to see and it is great to work with him to support the growth of the business. He has created an excellent micro-brewery facility and I am looking forward to being a part of the firm’s expansion.”
Ainsty Ales Brewery is currently organising its third annual “Coptoberfest”, a charity beer festival in St. Giles Church Copmanthorpe, on 14h & 15th October, to raise funds for local charities and organisations.
