New Liverpool brewer unveils ambitious plans for growth

Some of Liverpool Brewing Company's range of beers

A new ‘micro-brewing’ company has launched in Liverpool, seeking to capitalise on drinkers’ fondness for a former city brewer.

Liverpool Brewing Company has bought the brewing kit of the former Liverpool Organic Brewery.

It has also taken over the lease on Organic’s former home, in Brasenose Road, Bootle, signing up for a long-term deal.

Liverpool Organic was bought out of administration in March this year.

Jason Greenhalgh and Paul Stanley, of Begbies Traynor, had been appointed joint administrators earlier in the month after the business ran into trouble.

The joint administrators concluded the sale of the business and assets as a going concern to Bath-based Circus Group.

But Liverpool Brewing Company has now acquired the assets from Circus Group and is gearing up for a concerted drive in 2019 to establish itself as a brewer in its own right, while also appealing to former Organic drinkers by resurrecting some of the most popular brews.

The new entrant to the industry has also recruited former Organic head brewer, Karl Critchley, to its ranks.

Karl will produce a range of former favourite brews, including Organic pale ale, Cascade, IPA and 24 Carat, as well as a variety of new additions for the Liverpool Brewing Company brand.

The company is focusing on three product categories to drive business growth.

These comprise real ales, a new Liverpool Lager, and a new craft brand in its own right.

Each category will have its own range, suited to the three different types of customers.

Liverpool Brewing Company has been formed by seven shareholders, described as “local businessmen who want to operate in a different business”.

A company spokesman told TheBusinessDesk.com: “They all have a range of skill sets and everyone has something they can bring.”

He said the new team has invested a six-figure sum into the new venture.

They decided to retain the former Organic premises for operational reasons: “We bought the assets off Circus Group, including all the brewing equipment.

“Instead of having to move the kit, we decided to take on a new lease, a long-term lease,” he said.

Karl Critchley

Initially, up to six jobs will be created by the new company, but the investors have plans for growth throughout the North West in the new year.

The spokesman said: “We want to refurbish the site, including a ‘brewery tap’ bar as well as tours, and ‘meet the brewer’ tours.”

The site is close to Bankhall rail station, which is used by Everton and Liverpool fans making their way to the game, and the spokesman added: “We could attract the football crowds and get them off the train before the match, and come to our bar.”

He said: “We want to drive up the real ale sales, as well as the lager, and then the craft. Then we could be a different entity.”

And he said the kudos of securing Karl Critchley as their head brewer is a big plus for the business: “Karl brewed great ale, and now he is working for us and brewing great ale.”

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