A new microbrewery funded by government loans has brought the brewing industry back to Hyde, in Greater Manchester, for the first time in more than 85 years.
Sam Ward and his father Dave started The Tweed Brewing Company following a loan of £18,000 from the North West branch of the government’s Start Up Loans programme, delivered by Business Finance Solutions. Beer was last made in the town in 1929.
Under the stewardship of head brewer Anthony Lewis, the microbrewery plans to introduce an increasingly radical series of new flavours, combining ingredients such as orange, coriander, lime, pineapple and chocolate. It is also seeking to improve the sweetness, colour and aroma of beer in attempt to “shake up” the UK market.
Sam Ward said: “There is a real lack of imagination in this industry generally and we want The Tweed Brewing Company to be at the forefront of innovation and invention in brewing and to open people’s eyes to the varieties of ales that can be produced.
“We went to see Business Finance Solutions because we needed funding to buy the equipment and they were also able to help us with our business planning and also put us in contact with distributors in and around Manchester. With their support we now have a great range of flavours to meet the demands of drinkers today who are looking for something new, and are appreciative of the work and craft that goes into a non-mass produced ale.”
The company currently produces five beers – including a stout, pale ale and Altbier-style beer – that are already stocked by bars and pubs across Manchester. The brand is now looking to secure a national supermarket listing as it continues to capitalise on the craft sector’s burgeoning success.
Business Finance Solutions’ director, Paul Breen, said: “Britain now has 1200 breweries, a number that has increased by 10% in each of the last two years; a rise that has not been seen for more than 70 years. Micro- breweries like The Tweed Brewing Company are at the vanguard of this trend and are meeting the demands of drinkers, retailers and bars and restaurants for new and more interesting beer styles.”
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