Queen raises a glass after brewer raises the Titanic

A BREWING apprentice who has gone on to grow a Staffordshire micro-brewery into a business that produces three million pints a year has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Keith Bott is one half of the brewing brothers, alongside older brother Dave, who have grown Titanic Brewery. He has also served as chair and president of brewing industry body, SIBA.

He has received an MBE for services to the brewing industry and the economy of Staffordshire.

“I began my career as an apprentice brewer at Titanic when it was a tiny brewery, selling all the beer to one pub, and then brought the brewery with my brother in 1988,” said Keith.

Keith served as both brewer and landlord of the Titanic’s brewery tap, the Bulls Head in Burslem.

The business began to grow quickly once a second pub, the Greyhound in Hartshill, was added in 1997. It now operates nine pubs – its first seven in Staffordshire, plus Buxton and Congleton – and employs more than 150 people.

Mr Bott said: “We were among the first of the small breweries in the UK to use American hops, create golden beers, brew a keg stout and put fruit flavours in beer and innovation remains key to our success.

“We also pride ourselves in giving a new lease of life to neglected pubs which have been closed or need to be rescued.

“I have always believed in the great British pub, it was our country’s first social network and a good, well run pub, is at the beating heart of any community.”

Mr Bott has also played key roles for the brewing industry in the UK, being “instrumental” in the introduction of Small Brewers’ Relief and being part of the successful campaign to scrap the beer tax escalator in 2013.

He added: “Receiving such a prestigious award is a huge honour, it reflects the vast amount of hard work that the teams at both Titanic Brewery and SIBA have contributed so many thanks to them all for their continued help and support.”