No dumb Blonde at Saltaire as top-selling ale powers big brewery expansion
By: JimOldfield
June 19th, 2012
Yorkshire’s award-winning Saltaire Brewery is on the up – with an exciting expansion plan, that includes a doubling of brewery size, an increase in production and the appointment of its first ever sales director.
The West Yorkshire brewer is enjoying such a demand for its hugely popular best-seller, Saltaire Blonde, that it has decided to invest £200,000 in increased brewing capacity, to raise production from 400 casks a week to 500.
That will allow Shipley-based Saltaire to move from five Blonde brews per week to seven, and give extra capacity for brewing more seasonal ales.
Additionally, Saltaire is doubling its physical size by expanding into premises next door to its current Victorian brewhouse, to create new offices and chilled space.
The company has also increased staffing from 10-13 – bringing onboard two new brewers and a sales and marketing manager, while promoting its former sales manager, Ewen Gordon, to sales director.
Ewen joined Saltaire some 18 months ago. He will now be joined by Wendy Carthew in sales and marketing, while Elliott Collett and Chris Hall are added to the brewers’ roster.
Managing director Tony Gartland said: “The enthusiasm of our customers and consumers for our beers means they’ve regularly drunk us dry this year!
“But with our strengthened team and bigger capacity to brew, we can meet rising demand and continue to grow our business over the next few years.”
The company now makes beer for 100 regular pub outlets within 30 miles of the brewery and its bottled beers are stocked in the Yorkshire stores of almost all major supermarkets.
Its international award-winning Triple Chocoholic is now exported to Mexico, and the company also sends beer to Italy and Ireland.
Ewen added: “While Saltaire Blonde is a favourite in many of our region’s pubs and supermarkets, we’re also known for putting our own twist on brews to produce a range of interesting beers and stouts such as our international award-winning Triple Chocoholic.
“It’s a great time for lovers of real ale, and it’s my aim to make sure Saltaire Brewery has a great range and is first choice for many – across Yorkshire and beyond.”
Saltaire began brewing in 2005 and since then has amassed more than 50 trade awards, including two national championship brews and two international gold medals.
