Northern Monk

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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