The relocation of an internationally acclaimed brewery which produces some of the highest rated beers in the world has meant substantial growth for the business and a promise of new jobs.
The multi-award winning Moor Beer Company moved its operation from the Somerset Levels to an industrial unit on Days Road in Bristol, just behind Temple Meads Station, in August of last year.
A complete refurbishment and the installation of seven fermentation takes and a bottling line has now been accompanied by the opening of a genuine ‘Brewery Tap’, which is to open seven days a week offering off sales, tasting sessions and catering for parties and private functions.
Currently seven people are employed in the business brewing around 20-30 different beers each year which are offered in kegs, casks and bottles ranging in strength from 3.8% to a staggering 9.5%.
Their beers are unfined (they do not use the fish product or finings to settle the brew), leaving them naturally hazy and giving a bigger aroma and richer flavour.
The Moor Beer Company is owned and operated by former US Army officers, Justin and Maryann Hawke. Justin Hawke said: “Our new premises has given us the capacity to grow and we have plans to double and perhaps treble production and our workforce in the next few years.
“We will be installing another seven fermentation tanks and a canning line which will support the international demand for our beer which takes about 30% of our total production. Export and domestic markets are important for growth but we also want to develop the local market and our Brewery Tap is key to this strategy.”
Richard Kennedy, a partner at chartered accountants Francis Clark commented: “We helped with the property purchase and securing a grant from the Regional Growth Fund. We are now preparing a claim for Research and Development Tax Relief regarding the development of new brews.
“As well as being an ideal facility for expansion and developing new products, the new premises are in a superb central location and I’m sure that when word gets around it will become a Bristol ‘must-go-to’ place.”