The second ‘Supreme Champion Beer’ crown for a fledgling Denbighshire brewery has boosted its expansion plans.
The Heavy Industry Brewery’s Nelson’s Eye (4.5%) brew claimed the highly prestigious accolade at the Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) North Wales Beer Festival. It is the second consecutive year that the Henllan brewer has toasted victory; in 2013 its Collaborator (5% abv) strong ale snatched the top title.
Now the golden brew goes forward be judged on the national stage in June at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival in Cardiff. The triumph comes as the 18- months-old brewery is poised to invest for future growth with new equipment and the recruitment of Tom Gage as a trainee brewer.
Heavy Industry was launched in late 2012 by Tom McNeill and Jo Wynne-Eyton on a 10 barrel capacity plant and is now selling directly to pubs as far afield as East Cheshire, Derbyshire and Manchester as well as North Wales and the Chester area. Wholesalers also deliver across the UK.
Tom, who formerly worked in the music industry, was an enthusiastic home brewer for many years before training at Sunderland University’s Brewlab and working with the award winning Purple Moose Brewery prior to start up in the former slaughterhouse premises. Jo, originally from Mold, returned to North Wales following a career as an actor and has also jointly set up the Shed Theatre Co to work with young people.
Celebrating the latest win Tom said: “It was a big step to start up the brewery and it is very a challenging marketplace. But we have quickly managed to develop strong sales by building a reputation for brewing quality, flavour packed and distinctive cask and bottled ales.
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“Winning this accolade as the top North Wales beer for the second year running is a great tribute to that our beers and it gives us real confidence to go forward and invest for the future with new equipment and a strengthened team.”
Jo said: “We believe that by brewing only the best quality beer we will grow the business steadily. Cask ale is the only beer sector in growth. More and more discerning drinkers –including women and young people- recognise it as a drink with of provenance with lots of variety from tasty, easy drinking golden beers like Nelson’s Eye to our very delicious Smoked Porter.
“We are now looking forward to competing nationally at Cardiff against the top brewers of Wales.”
A range of 10 cask beers has been brewed since Heavy Industry launched – they include High Voltage (4.5% abv), Raw Power (4.1% abv) and Electric Mountain (4.5% abv). Bottled versions are available in specialist stores throughout North Wales, Manchester and Cheshire including the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre as well as the award winning Henllan Village Post Office.
Ends Ref: Heavy Industry PR.
Note to editors: Nelson’s Eye is described as :a golden ale, using Nelson Sauvin hops for flavour and aroma. This unique hop from New Zealand evokes white grape skins, tropical fruits and citrus. Dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin whilst conditioning.
For further information contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino PR, 07751 578605