Brewery toasts major upgrade investment

BARNSLEY firm the Acorn Brewery is investing £60,000 in equipment to mark its 12th anniversary.

The brewery will spend the money on conditioning tanks, an extended cold room store and further office space at their Aldham House premises in Wombwell.

Acorn has also revamped its brand with the help of design agency DMSQD, and Dave Hughes, owner of Acorn Brewery said: “We have been trading for 12 years now and have not changed our branding over that time, but feel the time is right for a refresh now.

“The brewing industry has changed a lot since we started in the summer of 2003 and, particularly in the last six years or so.

“There are now many more independent brewers out there and it is much more important to have a clear stand-out identity at the pumps and on the supermarket shelf.”

Acorn’s investment equipment means that it can store more hops and bottled beers ready for collection.

Dave said: “Our three new conditioning tanks will mean an extra 15,000 litres of real ale can undergo the week-long conditioning process at any one time. This is when we monitor the beer’s development before we judge it to be perfectly full-bodied, flavoursome and ready to cask.

“The extra capacity at this stage will loosen up the whole production process and mean we can brew more beer to meet growing demand.”

Acorn Brewery’s development has been supported through Enterprising Barnsley, a European-funded programme delivered by Barnsley Council which supports local businesses to grow and create jobs.

The company has a turnover of £1.2 million and employs 12 people. It has doubled production over the last seven years, and now produces around 30,000 pints of real ale a week.

Sales have increased 12% in the past 12 months and Acorn delivers direct to more than 400 pubs and bars in the North and Midlands, as well as supplying Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s and 50 independent retailers.

Mr Hughes said: “With our latest investment and new image we are prepared to go on increasing production and sales. Our aim is to increase trade again by at least 20% this year.”

Acorn Brewery produces six permanent ales; Barnsley Bitter, Barnsley Gold, Yorkshire Pride, Blonde, Gorlovka and Old Moor Porter as well as seasonal IPAs and kegged beers.