Former Caledonian Brewery Managing Director and Guild of Beer Writers members Stephen Crawley is back in brewing having masterminded the development of an exciting new brewery, distillery and retail space in his hometown, Liverpool, namely H1780.
The multi-million pound investment has seen a former run-down warehouse in the eclectic Baltic Triangle area transformed into a state-of-the-art space that will see in the region of 9,000 hectolitres produced each year, reviving the Higson’s beer and Love Lane brands. The beers, synonymous with Liverpool for more than 200 years, have been on Stephen’s radar for some time. HIs interest began 7 years ago when Stephen was still managing director of the Caledonian Brewery. He was contacted by an old cricketing acquaintance when Higson’s was in the midst of a low key revival, “I was asked for a steer on how to move the business and the brand forward,” said Stephen, “And my thoughts were that every city needs a brewery, most great cities have at least one and, what’s more, Higson’s was one of the first pints of beer I tasted. I think I drank quite a lot of it, probably most of it at cricket clubs. But my affection for the past didn’t compromise my advice. I stated that for it to succeed and for Liverpool to be proud of Higson’s again, then the brand needed to be handled sympathetically.”
Stephen’s knowledge of brand building, think Deuchars IPA and Harviestoun, his experience from within the UK and intelligence gained from overseas research led him to subsequently acquire the Higson’s brand and at the same time he purchased the Liverpool Craft Beer Company, makers of the popular Love Lane beers who were based at the Bridgewater site. “We loved the building but we needed to make it fit for purpose. That meant stripping everything out, taking it back to its solid foundation of red brick and weaving a modern operation into the space whilst retaining the character.”
The vision for the space took on momentum when drawing from his experience at Caledonian. “Offering the opportunity for visitors to see the brewery and sample the product straight from the brewhouse is a special experience and made me want to offer that same opportunity to the people of Liverpool and those that visit the city. As a result the project expanded into a site that now offers a brewery, a distillery, 3 bars, a kitchen, event space, as well as enabling us to offer tours and tastings starting in early 2018,” added Stephen.
The first brew is set to be celebrated when the new site opens at the beginning of December. “We will not be using the original HIgson’s recipes but creating an exciting range of new beers to better reflect the taste profiles expected from premium craft beers as well as building on the success of the Love Lane brands. The introduction of our gin distillery and the launch of our Ginsmiths of Liverpool brand is equally exciting with some exceptional flavour profiles pulled from the historic trading links for which Liverpool was famous.
“The project has been inspiring. We’re proud of the past and excited by the future.”
For further information
Maureen Heffernan
07860 529242
Editors Notes
- The company name H1780 – was inspired by H for Higson’s and the year in which the brewer began production from premises in Dale Street, Liverpool.
- Higson’s ceased production in 1990. Having been acquired by Boddingtons which, in turn, was acquired by Whitbread, ‘Boddies’ in Manchester was preserved while ‘Higgies’ was closed.
- The H1780 Tap & Still on Bridgewater Street, Liverpool 1, is home to the new Higson’s. It includes the brewery, distillery, 3 bars, a kitchen and retail outlet, and will also be marketed as a venue for events and corporate entertainment.
- The Higson’s comic marketing campaign of the 1970s is still fondly remembered by many on Merseyside. ‘Old Higsonians’ characters inspired by local place names included Ann Field, Birk ‘n’ Head, Penny Lane and Otto Spool.