A traditional-style brewery has been given a chance to realise a 43-year-old dream with an investment it describes as an important milestone and ‘significant step forward.’
Burton Bridge Brewery, based in Burton upon Trent, will take delivery of a new fermentation/conditioning tank specifically designed for keg beer production on Wednesday, purchased thanks to a PIPP Innovation Grantfrom East Staffordshire Borough Council, introduced through Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
The new equipment means the brewery will finally be able to explore lager production as well as broaden its overall range of keg beers.
The original owners of the brewery, which was founded in 1982, had planned to develop a lager, but the project never made it to fruition due to limited capacity and equipment constraints.
The investment will also open up flexibility for brewing new styles of cask beer with the shape of the tank making it suitable for dry hopping and fruit and spice additions while maintaining the clarity of the beer.
And with increased revenue expected from creating new product lines, the business hopes to recruit new team members.
Emma Cole, brewery manager, said: “Securing this grant allows us to take a significant step forward.
“Keg production opens the door to new styles we’ve wanted to brew for years, and different venues specialise in keg beer. It also means we can supply a wider variety of our own beers to the Burton Bridge Inn, giving customers even more choice from a brewery that is extremely passionate about helping keep Burton’s reputation as a great beer town.”
The PIPP Innovation Grant programme supports local businesses in developing new products, improving processes and driving growth.
Head brewer Al Wall said: “the first beer that goes in the tank will be a cask beer. As this new tank is a cylindro-conical vessel it will allow us to navigate new waters for Burton Bridge by looking at vessel dry hopping and also different yeast strains.
“After we feel comfortable with the new tank we will set our sights on kegged produce, both ales and lagers.”
Burton Bridge Brewery, which merged with Heritage Brewing last year, employs 20 people across the business which includes The Burton Bridge Inn and the brewery itself.
It produces a range of cask beers with its first and signature product, Bridge Bitter, still remaining popular today.
