Brewery invests in new equipment to boost sales
ILKLEY Brewery is making a significant investment in new equipment to increase its brewing capacity by 33%.
The brewery is looking to invest more than £100,000 in new machinery in order to meet demand.
It new cask filling machine will see the business producing 46,000 pints a week and the brewery is also set to acquire a new 40 barrel fermenter this summer, which will boost real ale production.
Cask ale orders from pubs, retailers and distributors across Yorkshire and the UK, have increased dramatically in the past 12 months. The brewery said it is meeting demand by stepping up production at its Ashlands Road brew house in Ilkley.
Chris Ives, managing director, said: “We are looking to invest over £100,000 in the second half of this year in new plant and machinery in order to meet increased demand.
“It’s encouraging to see that interest in and demand for real ale is not wavering. Campaigns by groups like CAMRA continue to put the spotlight on the benefits of making and drinking cask ale and we’re 100% behind this.
“In order to keep up with demand yet keep quality and flavour our top priority, we have made this investment in new equipment and hope it will enable us to continue growing.”
Neil Walker, national CAMRA spokesman, said: “Real ale is increasing in popularity year-on-year and it is fantastic to see Ilkley making a financial investment in the future of this fantastic British drink.”
With the new cask filling machine and fermenter, the brewery hopes to be able to upscale production of its other popular ales too while at the same time continuing to develop new and innovative real ales.
