By Claire Hu Who are they? The island's most famous brewer, which last month celebrated its 10th birthday. Housed in a 19th-century stone barn in the town of Ryde, the plant has an annual barrelage of around 1,500 and supplies 50 pubs on the island, as well as running a wholesale drinks supply business and handling local distribution for Carlsberg-Tetley. Goddards sees itself as small but perfectly formed, placing quality and consistency at the top of its agenda. The company was set up by former Isle of Wight winegrower and insurance underwriter Anthony Goddard, who was "stuffed" by Lloyds a decade ago. "There will always be a market for anyone producing quality beers", he says. "People are fed-up with blandified, manufactured beers." Main Brands: Star performer is Special Bitter (4%), which is also available as a cold-sterile filtered kegged beer. The other main brand is Fuggle-Dee-Dum, a 4.8% "intensely flavoured" ale. Seasonal ales include Ale of Wight and Duck's Folly. Employees: 14 Turnover: £1m Future Plans: The brewery has no ambitions to expand distribution beyond the island, after an expensive failed attempt at wholesaling on the mainland. Instead, it will concentrate on maintaining its good name locally and persuading tourists to try its beers.
