SIBA
REGIONAL NEWS ROUNDUP SCOTTISH REGION
Things are transforming at Alechemy Livingston brewer Alechemy is currently going through a period of transformation following a tie-up with Glasgow-based drinks company Catalyst. Since signing the six-figure share deal last December, brewery founder James Davies has been working with Catalyst’s Jim Young to increase awareness, interest and availability of Alechemy’s range of beers. James said of the deal: “I felt that, although we’d grown our turnover quite quickly, I wanted to get to the next stage. We take great pride in our beer, and I value consistency and quality. I felt Jim got what we are about and that the partnership would help us achieve the growth and presence in the market we both believe Alechemy beers deserve.”
In March of this year Alechemy moved one mile down the road from its original home to a new brewery. The 6,000 square foot space is almost double the size of the original brewery and is home to an additional five vessels - with more on the way this summer. The new brewery will allow Alechemy to grow over time and the brewery will also welcome its own inhouse bottling line later this year. Since settling into the new brewery, Alechemy has already began to reap the benefits of expansion with some great successes. In late March Alechemy’s Bad Day At The Office won Gold for Champion Cask Premium Bitters & Pale Ales at the SIBA awards. In April, they announced a UK wide supply deal with Waitrose for
their 10.5% Imperial Stout Bring Out The Imp and in late May were part of ASDA’s massive supply deal with Craft Beer Clan to bring more local craft beer to the shelves across their Scottish stores. Over the coming months Alechemy are looking to grow further still. They are currently finalising a full rebranding of their packaging and refining their core range. The new branding will be rolled out this summer. Beyond the rebrand, Alechemy are opening their own bar in Glasgow’s Merchant City later this summer, allowing them to showcase their full range of beers in the heart of the city. It’s an exciting time of growth for the Livingston brewery; and it looks like this is just the beginning.
Arran Brewery leant its support to SIBA Scotland Election Manifesto
Loch Lomond Brewery launches in Marks & Spencer’s Scottish Stores
SIBA in Scotland asked election candidates last month to back Scotland’s independent craft brewing businesses by signing up to its Election Manifesto. Following the widely unexpected results in the election, and many changes to sitting Scottish MPs, Scottish brewers are being urged to invite their newly elected MP to visit their brewery to talk to them about some of the key issues in the Manifesto – which can be downloaded from the SIBA website. The Manifesto was sent to all Scottish parliamentary candidates ahead of the General Election and set out a number of ways in which SIBA, which represents almost 50 independent craft breweries in Scotland, is seeking to work with MPs and Government.
Loch Lomond Brewery celebrated its sixth successful year by taking the next big step on its journey through the craft beer world by agreeing a deal with high-end supermarket giant, Marks & Spencer. Two of Loch Lomond Brewery’s most decorated products now take pride of place in the new craft beer line for Marks & Spencer. Southern Summit, which was crowned SIBA’s supreme champion cask ale in 2016, and Silkie Stout, which was crowned SIBA champion Small Pack Stout 2017 and CAMRA’s Champion Stout for Scotland and Northern Ireland 2016, feature in the new line up are available in 54 stores throughout Scotland. Fiona MacEachern, managing director of Loch Lomond Brewery, said: "This new deal further cements our position as one of the most respected Scottish craft breweries, with a whole host of award winning beers, retail contracts and export deals.”
Mike Benner, SIBA CEO, said “SIBA’s Manifesto sets out five key areas which are vital for the future health of the independent craft brewing industry in the UK; asking candidates to actively support local brewing businesses, back the retention of Small Breweries’ Relief, support SIBA’s campaign to ensure local brewers have the access to market to meet the demands of beer drinkers, back pubs as centres of community life, and finally back SIBA’s campaign for a fair deal on beer tax with at least a freeze in beer duty during the next parliament.” The Isle of Arran Brewery made an open invitation to all the Parliamentary Candidates to come and visit the brewery on Arran on the 8th of June and this invitation is being echoed around Scotland as SIBA members open their doors to welcome candidates to see around their local brewery and enjoy a photo opportunity signing up to the SIBA manifesto.
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SIBA JOURNAL SUMMER 2017
87