Tom Hanna fills new role for Norfolk micro-brewery
Having just undergone renovations to triple its capacity, Norfolk’s Beer of the Year Grain is celebrating again this month with a new hire, as Tom Hanna starts in a new role for the brewery – ‘Beer Missionary’, spreading the news about Grain’s great beers.
Tom will oversee the micro-brewery’s increasing sales, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Greater London, with a brief to secure the brand more exposure in pubs, bars, hotels and delis, in these catchment areas. Tom will ensure more of the public is able to get a taste of the 45 barrels, or 13,000 pints, that Grain produces on a weekly basis.
Tom arrives at Grain with fantastic area knowledge, having previously filled the post of Account Manager at F&B distribution company, Tastes Of Anglia. Here Tom managed multiple accounts and substantially increased sales. Tom also brings an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality industry, having held senior roles in the past for both The Last Wine Bar and Raffles Restaurants.
Tom will use this knowledge to sell Grain’s real ales – which this year won five out of eight categories judged in CAMRA Norfolk’s competition, and also a national Bronze award by SIBA – the Society of Independent Brewers. Tom will also promote Grain’s new products to publicans such as 3.1.6. – a real ale created in celebration of the new brew plant and named after the brewery’s grade of stainless steel, which is also accompanied by a unique pump clip, made also from 3.1.6. stainless steel.
Joint-founder of Grain, Phil Halls says: “Tom understood Grain from the start, and with his experience and energetic personality, will help us spread the word to new customers’.
New Head of Sales, Tom Hanna says: “I was a customer first, and could immediately see that Grain was on to a winner, so I was delighted to join the team.’
The hire reflects a wider expansion of the contemporary real ale brand, as recently appointed distributers Liberty Beers and Euroboozer now promote Grain across more pubs and bars in the Greater London area.
Tom’s talents extend beyond beer, as he is also a well-known bassist, having played in bands Dimestars, Energy Function Band and Kubko, toured with Lady Sovereign, and worked in the studio with the Sugarbabes.
For more information on Grain Brewery, please visit www.grainbrewery.co.uk.
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For further information:
Leila Stocker
Turtle PR
Email: leila@turtle-pr.com
Tel: +44 (0)7889 231000
About Grain Brewery
Situated in the Waveney Valley area of Norfolk, Grain’s backdrop includes a tranquil river and miles of stunning views across the richest farmland in England. The brewery is located on South Farm using a converted dairy as its brewhouse and cellars. Grain sells cask beer to local pubs, and bottles to farm shops, delis, hotels and restaurants, as well as further afield into the neighbouring counties and London. Grain has left behind the usual baggage associated with real ale, and its beers are enjoyed by a younger market of both sexes, as well as appealing to all who love great beer. Grain is not afraid to push the boundaries and break tradition by experimenting with new flavours and foreign beers styles, such as its cloudy Belgian style witbier Blonde Ash, and the gloriously grapefruity ruby red beer Redwood. Grain has won numerous awards, such as the coveted Champion Beer of Norfolk in 2011 from CAMRA, bronze in the strong bitter category for Champion Beer of Britain and overall champion winner at SIBA’s 2011 East beer competition. Grain is actively involved in Norwich’s City of Ale festival as well as holding its own annual Summer Festival at the brewery with a great range of beers and dancing until dusk. Group tours are also available at the brewery which includes learning about brewing, experiencing the malt and hops whilst tasting a range of beer styles.