Bath Ales unveils new multi-million pound brewery

15-May-2018 - Last updated on 15-May-2018 at 08:13 GMT

Expansion: The new Hare Brewery, described by senior brewer Darren James as ''very exciting'', has doubled the West Country brewer’s brewing capacity

Bath Ales officially opened the doors of its new state-of-the-art brew house to the public for the first time today (Tuesday 15 May.).

The new Hare Brewery, in Warmley, Bristol, has doubled the West Country brewer’s previous brewing capacity. The multi-million-pound investment project will enable Bath Ales to produce 50,000 brewers’ barrels of beer - close to 14.5m pints - a year.

More than 500 guests throughout the course of the day joined celebrations at the brewery, which was officially opened by Tarquin McDonald, chief executive of Bath Rugby.

To mark the occasion a bronze hare statue, crafted by Cornish artist Hamish Mackie, was also unveiled – a symbolic gesture to mark the coming together of Bath and Cornwall following the purchase of Bath Ales by St Austell Brewery in 2016.

Wider range of beers

Sophisticated new equipment at the four-vessel brewery will enable the team to produce a wider variety of beer styles to complement Bath Ales’ existing range.

Darren James, senior brewer, who has been at Bath Ales for more than 15 years, described the opening of the Hare Brewery as “a very exciting moment”.

“Extra capacity means more beer for Bath Ales’ drinkers including our flagship ale Gem,” he said. We’ve already started brewing a wider range of beer styles on the new equipment including Sulis, our first lager.

“We’re quite literally opening the doors to the brewhouse in that beer fans will be able to see it for themselves – we’ll be holding regular brewery tours, which will mean people can see our new kit and visit our tap room to taste our beers at their freshest.”

Bespoke brew house

Fellow West Country brewer and pub company St Austell Brewery, first announced its multi-million-pound plans for Bath Ales shortly after the acquisition in July 2016.

The independent company, which is still family-owned, is committed to a long-term investment growth plan for the Bath Ales brand and business.

Brewing director Roger Ryman, who oversees brewing and production at Bath Ales and St Austell Brewery, said: “From the very start of the project we’ve all shared a clear vision for Hare Brewery: to build one of the region’s most technologically advanced and fully bespoke brewhouses. To see this come to fruition today is a milestone moment for us.

“We hope the new brewery will play its part in shining a light on the vibrant south-west beer scene. Since Bath Ales joined the St Austell Brewery family, there’s been a continued passion and appreciation of only brewing the highest-quality beers.

Our commitment to building the new brewery demonstrates our commitment to the brand’s long-term future.”