In response to ever-growing demand for its award-winning cask ales, Ilkley Brewery has invested in a new cask filling machine and will soon be increasing its brewing capacity by an additional 33 per cent to 160 brewers’ barrels or 46,000 pints a week.
Later this summer, the brewery will also acquire a new 40 barrel fermenter which will boost real ale production even further.
Since its launch four years ago, Ilkley Brewery has won acclaim for its cask beers – namely its flagship Mary Jane and other award winners including Ilkley Black and Lotus IPA – but interest in these beers has reached a new high. Cask ale orders from pubs, retailers and distributors across Yorkshire and the UK, have increased by dramatically in the last 12 months so the brewery is meeting demand by stepping up production at its Ashlands Road brew house in Ilkley.
Chris Ives, managing director, commented: “It’s encouraging to see that interest in and demand for real ale is not wavering. Campaigns by groups like CAMRA continue to put the spotlight on the benefits of making and drinking cask ale and we’re 100 per cent behind this.
“Our beers continue to be handmade from start to finish and this passion and dedication, I believe, can be tasted in every drop of our cask ale. In order to keep up with demand yet keep quality and flavour our top priority, we have made this investment in new equipment and hope it will enable us to continue growing.”
Neil Walker, national CAMRA spokesman, supports Ilkley Brewery’s commitment to real ale: “Having lived in Leeds for a number of years, I can certainly understand the increase in demand from real ale drinkers for Ilkley Brewery’s cask beer. Real ale is increasing in popularity year-on-year and it is fantastic to see Ilkley making a financial investment in the future of this fantastic British drink.”
Ilkley Brewery’s top cask ale sellers now include Mary Jane, Joshua Jane and more unusual cask ales including its sought-after Rhubarb Saison, Siberia. With the new cask filling machine and fermenter, the brewery hopes to be able to upscale production of its other popular ales too while at the same time continuing to develop new and innovative real ales for the ever-thirsty real ale drinker.
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or follow Ilkley Brewery on Twitter @Ilkleybrewery and Facebook www.facebook.com/ilkley.
ENDS
Image attached:
- Joshua Jane, Ilkley Brewery’s best selling Yorkshire bitter.
Media contact:
For further media information, please contact Katy Barraclough, Conway PR, on 07813 094945 / 01943 430257 or email katy@conwaypr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
The Ilkley Brewery Co. Ltd. was founded in January 2009. In May 2009, it launched its first beer, Olicana Gold, which was closely followed by Ilkley Best and Ilkley Original who were joined in the summer by the now famous Mary Jane.
A string of awards has followed with most of the beers now brewed by the brewery winning medals at beer competitions up and down the country.
In January 2011, Ilkley Brewery secured a debt and equity package from Glentrool Capital Partners LLP, who also provide corporate support to help grow the company. This enabled Ilkley Brewery to move from its premises on East Parade to a new 2,600 square foot brewery on Ashlands Road, Ilkley. A new 20 barrel brewing plant was installed allowing the brewery to produce 23,000 pints a week.
In October 2011, a new 30 barrel fermenter was acquired, taking production to over 32,000 pints a week. In March 2012, production capacity expanded again to close to 40,000 pints a week.
In January 2012, Ilkley Brewery was crowned one of Yorkshire’s most promising companies in the Government-backed Local Business Accelerators campaign, going onto win the national prize in August 2012 for being one of the country’s fastest growing and successful businesses.
April 2012 saw the launch of the Origins range, showcasing the best in beer styles and brewing. Medina and Siberia were the first collaboration brews with renowned beer writers, and The Chief, Victorian Pale Dinner Ale, Wit Marie, Green Goddess, and Holy Cow have since followed to much critical acclaim.
As of August 2012, bottles of Mary Jane, Ilkley Best, Ilkley Black and Ilkley Pale are available in Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Booths supermarkets across the north of England, as well as Harvey Nichols stores and restaurants nationally.
Additional SIBA medals for Ilkley Black and Lotus IPA were awarded in October 2012 (Bronze and Silver respectively).
November 2012 saw the first export sales to leave the UK.
Katy Barraclough MCIPR
Conway PR
www.conwaypr.co.uk
Conway PR
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