FDBusiness.com

St Austell Brewery, the English regional brewer, has unveiled its ambitious plans for its Bath Ales business with a multi-million pound investment. The investment in a state-of-the-art new brewery – which is set to double the available brewing capacity – will put Bath Ales on the map as having some of the most sophisticated and technologically-advanced brewing and packaging facilities in the South West.

Following the acquisition of the fellow South West brewer and pub company in July last year, the investment forms part of St Austell Brewery’s exciting growth plans for Bath Ales.

James Staughton, chief executive of St Austell Brewery, says: “When we announced the coming together of St Austell Brewery and Bath Ales we committed to a long-term significant investment in the brands, pub estate, people and the brewing facilities. The creation of a new brew house will ensure we’re able to offer even more of what Bath Ales’ customers know and love.”

Once complete there will be a total brewing capacity of up to 50,000 brewers’ barrels which equates to more than 14.5 million pints. New bottling and canning facilities will also form part of future expansion plans.

The new-look brewery will be versatile and give Bath Ales the opportunity to create new beer styles in cask, keg and bottles. The plans include a lauter tun, which for the first time will give Bath Ales the capability to brew traditional continental style lagers alongside its much-loved range of premium ales.

Musk Engineering has been selected to build the new brewery at the existing headquarters in Warmley, between Bath and Bristol. The leading British company will be tasked with the fitting and installation of the new four-vessel brew house at the newly titled ‘Hare Brewery’.

Work on the Hare Brewery will get underway in September and it’s expected it will be complete by Spring 2018.