We have leased a new 2,500 sq. ft dockside warehouse to expand our brewing capacity and open a new taproom and shop.
The brewery has taken on the large Warehouse 4 which fronts onto the canal basin as an addition to its existing site at Fox’s Kiln which adjoins the new building.
Plans have been drawn up to create a new self-service bar and taproom, large brewery shop and extra brewing space which will triple our current beer production.
Managing Director Jared Brown said: “We are unbelievably excited to get our hands on this fantastic new warehouse space with its stunning waterside location. This new site will enable us not only to increase our brewing capacity but also create a fantastic new visitor attraction for the city.
“It is a challenging project for us as we want to ensure this old building can meet all of our standards around sustainability as part of our bid to be carbon neutral by the end of next year, but we’re determined to redevelop this site with the environment in mind.”
When will the new taproom and shop be open?
The new taproom and shop are due to open this summer as part of the first phase of ambitious plans for the building. We will be launching a crowdfunding campaign later this year to help fund the next stage of its development.
“Crowdfunding will enable us to help the brewery to realise the full potential of this incredible space and take the business to the next level,” Jared said.
This major project comes on the back of 18 months of strong growth for the brewery despite the pandemic. We now count Gloucester Rugby chairman Martin St. Quinton and the club’s Chief Executive Lance Bradley among our shareholders who have helped the business go from strength to strength.
In December 2019, we rebranded to promote and underpin our sustainable earth-conscious brewing values. We also brought our entire canning operation in house and we’re now producing upwards of 500,000 pints of beer a year.
Last year, we also created the Fox’s Kiln Distillery spirits line with more than 5,000 bottles of gin sold and a new vodka range released last month.
“Despite such overwhelmingly challenging circumstances during the pandemic, the brewery has strived not only to keep going but to continually move forward,” Jared said.
“It has not been easy, and I wanted to thank our hard-working staff and our shareholders for their support throughout the last year and of course our loyal customers. We didn’t give up on our vision and dreams despite the pandemic and as we gradually come out of what we hope is the last lockdown, we are excited about realising them with this new site.”
The brewery leased the historic warehouse from the Canal and River Trust.
“We are so pleased we have been able to make this deal happen with Canal and River Trust. I started the brewery in 2011 at Gloucester Docks and the business has continued to invest in the area over the last 10 years with the development of Tank bar and over at Fox’s Kiln. This new project cements our commit to the waterside area of the city, and we can’t wait to get started,” Jared said.
Anyone who would like to express an early interest in the crowdfunding project can email invest@gloucesterbrewery.co.uk