Nethergate, the brewer of Old Growler, Stour Valley Gold and Suffolk County ales, is toasting completion on the purchase of a new site at Long Melford, Suffolk, within two miles of its current location in Pentlow.
The new acquisition , which is being funded by the companies’ shareholders, will incorporate a new-build brewery, shop and a visitor centre on the main road into the town.
“We are extremely excited about our new development.” said John Holberry, Managing Director of Nethergate, “This represents a big step forward in our 30 year long history, and builds on strong trading performance in 2016. Our new visitor centre and shop will be innovative and interactive, and this move will greatly increase our profile and involvement within the local area.”
The Brewery site will feature increased closed top fermenting capacity, and will significantly add to the brewing capabilities of the company, which has historically specialised in dark beer and ales. A new flagship beer will be launched alongside the new plant, which will be christened through a brew naming competition with local people.
“We aim to provide great traditional beers with a modern twist, and to develop ales which provide huge drinking satisfaction to our consumers across our free trade, in our national partners, as well as within our own shareholder pub estate ”, said Richard Gray, Director of Sales. “Our branding will also be updated over the coming months, with a refreshed look and feel on the bar, in our glassware, and with online purchase functionality through our new website”
The new Shop and visitor centre is expected to be open for Easter, with the Brewery to be fully operational toward the end of Summer 2017.
Rob Crawford, General Manager of the Brewery said, ”We will be running two sites until we are completely happy that our new equipment can produce our existing beer range perfectly, but will also be developing new beers to reflect consumer trend changes within the industry. Our new development gives us the great potential to do both of these things.”
