Two award-winning breweries that merged last year are consolidating their operations onto a single new site in South Gloucestershire as part of an ambitious expansion plan.
Combined Brewers, formed from the tie-up between Severn Vale Brewing in Cam and Chipping Sodbury-based Cotswold Spring Brewing, plans to more than double its brewing capacity.
The move next month to the new site at Tortworth Business Park, Tortworth, and subsequent expansion is being part-funded by a grant of more than £30,000 from the West of England Growth Fund, drawn from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and administered by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Managing director Mark Frankcom said: “Combined Brewers has two Supreme Champion brewers and our sales are such that we have needed to invest in new production capacity. Our new operations will put us in a great position to make more of the brands and products that our customers are asking for.”
The move to the 5,000-litre plant will also create two jobs – an office manager and a brewery assistant – taking the team to seven.
Mark is confident that the move won’t affect the quality of the beers, which are created by award-winning brewers Nik Milo, previously of Cotswold Spring, and Steve McDonald, founder of Severn Vale.
Between them they won the Society of Independent Brewers’ Supreme Champion accolade three times in seven years – in 2008, 2011, and 2014 – as well as gaining second place in 2011.
Mark said: “The beer will continue to be produced with spring water. We have dropped a borehole, tested the water and are confident of its quality. Nik and Steve will keep their existing brand portfolios, and continue to brew from two sets of brewing plant in the one brewhouse.”
Combined Brewers sell to pubs, retail outlets, hotels, restaurants and the general public.
Its family of beers include Cotswold Spring ales Stunner, Codger, Trooper, and SIBA supreme champion 2014 Old Sodbury Mild (OSM). OSM was also Supreme Champion in 2011.
Severn Vale continues to brew its range which includes Dursley Steam Bitter, Nibley Ale and SIBA supreme champion 2008 Severn Sins.
The beers are available in cask, keg and bottle-conditioned formats.
Pictured: Combined Brewers managing director Mark Francomb
