Bath Ales, the independent brewer and pub operator, is to increase its brewing capacity by almost 40% following delivery of two new fermenting vessels.
Each can produce around 30,000 extra pints of Bath Ales’ cask beers a year – taking overall output to just over 25,000 barrels.
The investment is part of the continued growth for the brewery, based between Bath and Bristol at Warmley and best known for its Gem bitter.
It has opened two new outlets – The Grapes in Oxford and Graze Bar, Brasserie and Chophouse in Cirencester – in recent months and in January launched Beerd, its first craft beer bar, in Bristol.
Head brewer Gerry Condell said: “This is an exciting time to be at the brewery. The new vessels mean we can brew more beer, build up stock, and sell it further afield as we widen our customer base and continue to grow the business.”
The additional production means the brewery will take on more staff through the Government-run apprenticeship scheme.
The firm is also exploring brewing different styles of beer, such as those from the US and Belgium, which are proving popular at Beerd.”
“We are so passionate about brewing and it’s our driving ambition to produce the best, quality beer we can,” said Mr Condell. “Now we can make even more beers that we and others enjoy.”
Bath Ales’ range of beers includes Barnsey, Dark Side, Wild Hare, SPA. and Ginger Hare as well as Gem.
Pictured: Head brewer Gerry Condell with one of the new fementing vessels.
