Funding is a heady brew for Copper Dragon
COPPER Dragon Brewery, the Skipton-based ale producer, is to double its brewing capacity after securing funding to move to a larger £2.5m site in the North Yorkshire town.
The brewery is relocating to the 1.8 acre site, which is close to its existing base on Snaygill Industrial Estate, in a move that will significantly increase its plant capacity.
The facility will allow Copper Dragon to accommodate a new 120 barrel brew-house, built by a Bavarian brewery, and new steam boilers and milling expertise supplied by English manufacturers.
Established in 2002, Copper Dragon has grown to boast turnover of £2m. It brews five ales: Challenger IPA, Black Gold, Golden Pippin, Scott's 1816 and Best Bitter. The brews are produced using Otter Malt, which is the highest quality available in the UK.
The brewery sells around 4,000 casks per month to pubs and wholesalers throughout Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester, direct from its own distribution centre.
It also own 10 pubs across the North of England and plans to expand this network to 30 during the next seven years.
The funding has been provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland.
Steve Taylor, managing director of Copper Dragon Brewery, said: “We had reached maximum capacity on our old site and to continue with our expansion plans it was essential to find a larger base.
“It was also important the brewery remains in Skipton on the same historic water supply from Embsay Reservoir to create our unique taste. To secure a new site close to our old base is a perfect solution.”
Jonathan Barnes, relationship manager at RBS Commercial Banking, said: “Copper Dragon is a real success story and has achieved a lot in a very competitive marketplace. The new base and increased brewing capacity will allow them to continue with their ambitious plans for growth.”
