NORTHERN MONK
A TASTE OF THE NORTH
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NORTHERN MONK
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I PROFILE
For the past 10 years, Northern Monk has stocked the nation’s shelves with vibrantly delicious craft beer. Now, having reached an important anniversary, Co-Founder & Managing Director Russell Bisset mapped out the company’s journey so far and revealed how it has been celebrating the occasion. Report by Imogen Ward.
O
riginating from one man’s desire to
The monetary catalyst that made that dream
open a brewery and the loving sup-
a reality was a £5,000 gift from my granny.”
port of his granny, Northern Monk
Mr Bisset was quick to add that when it
has nurtured its humble roots into success.
comes to starting a brewery, it takes a lot
“In 2013, the beer landscape was quite
more than £5,000. However, through sheer
different,” Co-Founder & Managing
determination and hard work he utilised
Director Russell Bisset explained. “At the
all available means to make it happen.
time, there was a big gap in the market
Initially operating from the cellar of his
for a progressive Northern craft brewery,
mum’s house, the company began to
and I had harboured a dream of creating
search for premises that reflected its
one called Northern Monk that had pride
Northern values in 2014. That search led
of place within its Northern identity.
to a Grade II listed abandoned mill on the outskirts of Leeds, where the brewery still resides today.
Championing the community Throughout its journey, Northern Monk has experienced widespread support from its community of beer-loving patrons. Keen to share the spirit of collaboration and community, the Brewery set
Managing Director Russell Bisset
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NORTHERN MONK
I PROFILE
“WHEN WE ESTABLISHED NORTHERN MONK, WE SET OUT WITH THE AMBITION OF CREATING THE BEST BEER EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD” up Patrons Projects as a way of rewarding
Each series features a different creative
that support, whilst also helping creatives
and is a positive way of supporting the
in the community.
local area. According to Mr Bisset, the
“We feel that community and collabora-
decision process for each series is organic
tion are the pillars of the North, and that
and evolves from discussions with people.
is reflected in Northern Monk as well,” Mr
In honour of its dedication to collabora-
Bisset said. “Teamwork was an important
tion, the company has also partnered
element that really got the business going,
with numerous businesses to celebrate
and so many people supported us. Patrons
special occasions. To honour Yorkshire
Projects was born from a desire to offer
Day, Northern Monk created several
an outlet which expressed that ethos.
special editions in partnership with Don’t
“For our first series, we worked with local photographer Tom Joy, who used our beer
Mess With Yorkshire, which have been extremely popular year-on-year.
as a medium for his exhibition. That beer
Northern Monk also established For
was created in collaboration with a local
The North in 2019; this foundation later
coffee roaster, and Patrons Projects really
evolved into Faith in Futures to ensure
ignited from that.”
there were no barriers when it came to
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helping communities in need. In honour
“We have re-brewed a number of past
of the generosity of Granny Bisset and her
editions in celebration of our anniversary,
legacy, the foundation donates £5,000
including Granny’s Mix,” Mr Bisset said.
grants to various community projects,
“Initially released for our fifth anniversary
companies and charities throughout the
as a tribute, the beer was inspired by
UK. So far, Faith in Futures has donated an
Granny Bisset herself, and her lasting
awe inspiring £50,000 and is determined
legacy within the company. When we were
to triple that by 2025.
growing up, she would let us concoct our
“It is quite a challenging time for a lot of
own special drinks from a variety of juices
businesses and charities,” said Mr Bisset.
and fizzy water. Now, with two of my
“so we are being diligent in choosing the
brothers working at the brewery, our child-
right partners. As times toughen, these
hood of mixing drinks in Granny Bisset’s
funds are more meaningful than ever, and
kitchen has become our inspiration.”
we want to make sure we can support those that need it most.”
Pale Ale perfection:
Bringing back old favourites To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the company is re-releasing 10 special edition beers – all of which are past exclusives – now with an updated twist,
Currently, the most popular beer on offer at Northern Monk is Faith, a juicy, hazy Pale Ale. Presented as the hallmark of modern progressive craft beer, Faith’s strong brand message of ‘Keeping the faith’ resonates strongly with customers.
including one that gives a nod to the company’s inspiration.
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NORTHERN MONK
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Granny’s Mix has been re-released as
“We were over the moon with the results
a tropical IPA full of pineapple and
of the Great Taste Awards,” Mr Bisset
reminiscent of the nostalgic memories
said. “It was a super exciting outcome,
of the Bisset household. The company
and we are so proud of the entire brew
has also released an alcohol-free ver-
team for all the effort they put in to
sion of its Infinity Vortex, which, a few
achieve that.
years ago held the incredible accolade
“When we established Northern
of being one of the highest rated IPAs
Monk, we set out with the ambition of
in the world.
creating the best beer experiences in the world. Certainly, not all our beers
Endless accomplishments
achieve that status, but the ones that
This is only one of the many incredible
are a success prove that the commit-
accomplishments achieved by the
ment that goes into a quality beer is
Brewery. At this year’s Great Taste
worth it.”
Awards, Holy Faith became the first
Other titles garnered over the years
non-alcoholic beer to receive three
include being ranked number one in the
stars. This was a major milestone for the
Ward Hadaway Yorkshire Fastest 50 List –
company and highlights to any aspiring
which labelled the company the ‘fastest
brewers that hard work and dedication
overall growing business’ and ‘fastest
really do pay off.
growing small business’. Northern Monk
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was also listed in the Sunday Times Top
intends to repeat that as it heads
10 Best Food and Drink Companies to
towards its next major milestone.
Work For 2022. “These achievements are the biggest
“We’ve invested around £3 million into our production site to enhance
sign that we’re creating something that
our efficiencies and reduce our carbon
people are excited about,” Mr Bisset
footprint, and we now have a water
continued. “We are immensely proud
treatment facility that has made a mas-
of being recognised as the fastest
sive difference,” Mr Bisset explained.
growing brewery last year, and to have
“This investment has helped bring us
gained the title of fastest growing com-
closer to our goal of becoming B Corp
pany in Yorkshire the year before.
certified by 2025. However; our big
“We have also picked up quite a few
ambition for Northern Monk’s 15th birthday
accolades on the brewing side of the
is to double our turnover to £25 million.
business. One of the earliest was at the
“With the hard work and dedication that
2016 World Beer Cup, where we became
the team brings every day, we are confi-
the first English brewery to win a medal
dent that we will achieve that. Ultimately,
for an IPA. That was really the first sign
they are the driving force behind every
that we were on the right track.”
win, and there is no better feeling than
Having filled the past 10 years with outstanding success, Northern Monk
knowing that we can share those accomplishments with the entire team.”
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