emailemailemailemail

Clegg rolls out the barrel

By: JimOldfield

November 28th, 2011

While his Tory chums were busy sinking the fortunes of the brewing industry in October, LibDem leader and deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg spent some time trying to prop it up, with a visit to Sheffield’s Bradfield Brewery, in his Hallam constitutency.

Clegg opened the brewery’s new 40-barrel brew-house – which will quadruple production of the family firm, which was established at Watt House Farm near Bradfield, just six years ago.

He also presented a certificate of recognition by the All-party Parliamentary Beer Group for its massively-popular Farmers Brown Cow brew, which went on sale at the Strangers Bar at the Commons, in May.
Brewery director John Gill said: “The visit couldn’t have come at a better time. We are obviously delighted that our beer was on sale in the House of Commons but even more so that we could have such a prominent figure to open the new brew plant”.

Mr Clegg added: “It was great to meet John and the staff and see first-hand their enthusiasm and commitment. It’s no wonder Bradfield Brewery is expanding because the beer is delicious, as I’m sure many of my parliamentary colleagues who tasted it in the Strangers Bar would agree.”

In addition to the upgrade former 10-barrel brew-house, the brewery has also been granted permission by the Peak Park National Authority to fit 158 solar panels to its roof – generating 30,000kw of electricity each year… enough to supply six family homes.

And Brown Cow was topped by sister brew Farmers Blonde – which won the Best Beer Brewed in Sheffield award at the city’s 37th beer festival.

The brewery launched a 4.3 per cent , light Remembrance Day commemorative ale, Farmers Poppy, in November – with ccash from its sale going to the Poppy Appeal.