Wharfe Bank Brewery have assembled a new team to build on the brewery’s success and prepare for growth in 2015.
Steve Crump continues his excellent work as head brewer and, along with Tyler Kiley, has created a brand new portfolio of beers for 2015 that brings together Wharf Bank’s established core range of beers with new monthly specials in both cask and keg. 2014’s incredibly popular ‘Character’ range of beers will also be returning.
Alongside Steve, Tyler Kiley continues his great work as Craft Beer Specialist, covering beer sales, innovation and packaging in that growing sector.
Mark Evans joins the brewery as Sales Manager and brings his considerable experience in brand management, business development and sales to Wharfe Bank, having previously worked with Copper Dragon, Thwaites, Timothy Taylor and Vaux Breweries. Mark will focus on UK on- and off-trade markets.
Mark says: ‘I am really looking forward to joining Martin and the new team at Wharfe Bank Brewery. Steve and his brewing team have developed a fantastic portfolio of beers in cask, keg and bottle, from wheat beer to IPA to smoky porters using the finest hops, malt and Yorkshire water that will meet the needs of the publican and the discerning drinker.’
Leigh Linley, who will perhaps best be known to the industry for his beer writing (including the award-winning Great Yorkshire Beer books) has also joined the brewery as General Manager. Leigh has previously worked in people and project management in the Insurance industry, and has taken the opportunity to bring his two careers together with Wharfe Bank.
Leigh says ‘The team at Wharfe Bank have worked incredibly hard during 2014 to move the brewery forward; from their re-brand early last year to the revitalisation of the entire beer portfolio. Wharfe Bank are going to be an exciting prospect in 2015 in all markets and I can’t wait to play my part in helping the team achieve our goals.’
Managing Director Martin Kellaway – who set up the brewery in 2010 – is also enthused by the new team. ‘From November 2014, the new team, new beers and new branding all come together for the first time, and the brewery anticipates exciting opportunities to show their craft to a wider audience as the beer scene develops momentum worldwide. I can’t wait to get started.’
ENDS
To find out more about Wharfe Bank Brewery, please visit www.wharfebankbrewery.co.uk
For all Wharfe Bank Brewery media enquiries, please contact Martin Kellaway on martin@wharfebankbrewery.co.uk
Wharfe Bank Brewery,
Unit 4, Pool Business Park
Pool Road, Pool-In-Wharfedale,
Otley, West Yorkshire
LS21 1FD
Notes to Editors:
Wharfe Bank Brewery was founded by Martin Kellaway in 2010, initially brewing in the Fox & Newt Brewpub in Leeds. It was at the Fox & Newt that the first batch of Wharfe Bank beers were trialled and tasted by the drinking public.
Not long after, the brewery found a new home in a converted paper mill in Pool-in-Wharfedale, near the popular market town of Otley. Building on the success of beers such as Tether Blond, Camfell Flame and Washburn Best Bitter, Wharfe Bank soon became a pillar of the Yorkshire brewing scene, as well as building up a successful export trade.
In 2011, Wharfe Bank entered into a partnership with Punch Taverns to take the reins at The Fleece in Otley. Since then, the pub has thrived, and is now widely regarded as a showcase for locally-sourced food and, of course, lots of Wharfe Bank Beer. When the Half Moon Pub in Pool-in-Wharfedale was under threat of closure, Wharfe Bank stepped in and the pub now acts as a brewery tap, offering home-cooked food, fine cask ales and accommodation.
Award-winning homebrewer Steve Crump joined the team in 2013, bringing a fresh perspective on the brewery’s existing beer portfolio. Wharfe Bank now brews beer for cask, keg and bottle and their brewing schedule covers a wide range of styles from Porter, Stout and IPA to Bitter, Saison and Witbier.