In another impressive year for Sharp’s, the brewery has seen production capacity increasing by approximately 40%, from 185k barrels last year to a maximum of 260k barrels in 2014. In addition to this, the number of staff has increased by 11% to 133, with the majority of new recruits joining the brewery’s expanding headquarters at Rock.
Acclaimed and growing beer portfolio
Doom Bar continues to spearhead the portfolio with strong sales growth that has seen the brand retaining its title of the UK’s Number One Cask Beer in both volume and value, and winning National Cask Ale Brand in this year’s Publican’s Choice Award for the second consecutive year.
The brewery’s ever-increasing portfolio has seen the introduction of Cornish Pilsner, 2013 WBA World’s Best Lager, and Atlantic Pale Ale, Brussels Beer Challenge gold medallist, in both cask and bottle. This has added further depth to the brewer’s critically acclaimed portfolio, which now includes permanent and seasonal cask ales plus keg, bottle and non-bottle conditioned beers.
Fulfilling demand
Emma Bebbington, Director, Sharp’s Brewery said: “The sales growth of our core brands has allowed us to invest back into the brewery and our people, whilst expanding our capacity to meet growing consumer demand. Our key focus remains on fulfilling this demand whilst exceeding our internal rigorous standards for brewing and beer quality. Ongoing customer, consumer and industry award success and recognition has been rewarding for the whole team, who actively pay testament to this philosophy.
“In 2015 we aim to maintain our rate of growth by rewarding loyalty for Sharp’s customers, increase the availability of new brands such as Cornish Pilsner, Atlantic Pale Ale as well as introducing exciting new beers and brands already in development. We will also introduce our new marketing campaign “There’s An Adventure Brewing,” which will offer our consumers some truly exciting and unique opportunities.”
Opening of first pub – with Nathan Outlaw
The 2014 opening of Sharp’s first pub The Mariners, a Sharp’s joint venture with Michelin Star chef Nathan Outlaw, took the brewery’s beer and food strategy to the next level. Set in the heart of the community in Rock, Cornwall, the pub boasts menus created by Outlaw which pairs locally produced premium pub food with an extensive range of Sharp’s cask conditioned and bottled beers. The Mariners team are planning a refurbishment of the premises this winter that will fulfil the early ambitions for the pub, and the implementation of Sharp’s’ ‘Atlantic Beer Kitchen’ concept.
Chalky’s Bite
The new venture builds on Sharp’s pioneering work in beer and food, which includes Chalky’s Bite, the collaboration beer launched with Rick Stein which has seen un-paralleled success at the World Beer Awards, claiming four World and five European gold titles.
This has been further complemented by the creation of the Connoisseurs Choice range, an uncompromising portfolio of beers designed specifically to partner food, which has been awarded over 40 international brewing medals since its inception.
Nathan Outlaw said: “The team have done a tremendous job in 2014 and the pub has been well received by all. We look forward to building on this success and working with Sharp’s in 2015 to fully implement our combined vision for the public house: Providing exceptional beer and exceptional food which caters to all tastes and celebrated in the unique provenance of North Cornwall.”
About Sharp’s Brewery Ltd
Founded in 1994, Sharp’s Brewery is a modern brewer of cask conditioned beer based at Rock in Cornwall and has grown rapidly to become the largest brewer of cask beer in the South West and the owner of one of the UK’s fastest growing cask beer brands, Doom Bar.
Sharp’s beer is brewed exclusively using just British malted barley, whole hop flowers, Sharp’s own yeast and Cornish water.
Sharp’s was recently awarded a gold and bronze medal in the 2014 World Beer Awards, as well as receiving 11 medals at the 2014 International Beer Challenge. Attesting to on-trade demand for Sharp’s unique beers, the brewery won best National Cask Ale Brand in this year’s Publican’s Choice Award for Doom Bar.
The awards come on the back of a successful year for Sharp’s, having achieved three gold and four silver awards in the Taste of the West Awards, Best Drink for Doom Bar in the food Reader Awards 2014 and a bronze award at the 2014 World Beer Cup for Cornish Pilsner.
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