CHIEF Treasury secretary and local MP Danny Alexander had a double reason to celebrate when he announced a major expansion by the Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore – a £1.6 million project, backed by a £665,000 Bank of Scotland finance package alongside £150,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and £100,000 from the European Regional Development Fund.
Ginger Rodent beer launched
The brewery also used the occasion to launch a new beer to join their award-winning range – Ginger Rodent, the term famously fired at the local MP by Labour’s Harriet Harman in a controversial Labour Party Conference speech!
Far from being upset by the jibe, Danny Alexander is proud of his red hair roots and delighted with his association to the latest addition to the growing list of beers that has been produced by the brewery since their opening in 2001.
Brewery growth programme
The brewery themselves are convinced that this major investment will be a pivotal point in their growth programme. Their sales have been growing in excess of 10% per annum with turnover for 2011 at £1.5million.
Instead of outsourcing their bottling requirements, the expansion includes a state of the art, purpose built bottling hall, which will not only handle all Cairngorm Brewery’s own requirements but will enable them to handle the bottling requirements of other breweries.
Managing Director Samantha Faircliff:
“It is not just good for our own Brewery and our brands but for Aviemore and the local economy. As well as sub contracting bottling for other breweries next year, we are looking to increase our exports, in particular in Europe, the USA and Canada from where we have had a number of enquiries.
“Ginger Rodent is the 11th beer we now produce here, and full marks to Danny Alexander for joining in the fun. I don’t know if he can get it into the bars in the House of Commons but it would be a nice addition.”
Danny Alexander said:
“I am very pleased to congratulate Cairngorm Brewery on their expansion plans. It is hugely encouraging to see a local company quickly establish its presence in such a competitive market.
“The new beer? Very nice: I’ll maybe take a couple of bottles down to Harriet Harman for her to savour!”
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