Grimsby’s Docks Beers has upped its brewing capability by 40 per cent in a third birthday gift to itself.
The 14,400 litre brewery set-up, already expanded once since launch, has been added to with a giant new 60 hectolitre fermentation tank - providing capacity for an additional 10,500 pints.
Three new team members have also joined to produce the beverages.
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It takes The Church on King Edward Street to more than 20,000 litres, and will ensure it can meet the additional demand drummed up from a number of channels.
Not only is its Docks Academy first floor entertainment venue back open after lockdown hit weeks after launch, it is also behind the new Fan Zone bar at Grimsby Town’s Blundell Park.
New trade customers have also been won in London, with a little help from some town exiles, while The Co-op listing secured this summer is showing strong growth.
Director Shahram Shadan, who has overseen the transformation of the premises, worked with Ninkasi to bring the addition, locating it outside the rear of the premises.
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He said: “This is a fantastic birthday present. This new fermentation vessel is essential to ensure we can keep up with demand.
“In spite of the pandemic we have seen strong demand for our beer and now the Docks Academy and GTFC bars are online local demand has skyrocketed. This is exacerbated by people coming back to our taproom and trade customers increasing numbers as consumer confidence grows following Covid.”
To cope with demand, Rory Lynch, an experienced brewer from Grimsby, has joined director Mike Richards and senior brewer Lewis Birch, along with two brewing assistants Sam Denford and Jack Gibbons.
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Looking ahead, Mr Shadan said “The new brewing team members will help us through the next quarter which is traditionally our busiest. We have loads of gigs taking place in the Docks Academy, the imminent launch of Mockingbird - our new street food kitchen - and Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas aren’t too far away.
“With this increased footfall and the additional seasonal sales from quarter three this new tank is going to be worked hard to make enough beer for the additional numbers coming through the doors. It’s more than likely we will need a similar expansion in 2022.”
Docks' introduction to the London hospitality scene has been achieved with Grimbarians instrumental in giving the town brewery capital status.
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It will be one of only three brewers supplying the brand new five star hotel, Pan Pacific London, while Beer + Burger has added it to the chillers at its chain of five bars.
At the Bishopsgate Plaza addition, Steven Drewery is the executive assistant manager. He grew up on Wybers Wood and approached Docks earlier this year.
Brewery director Will Douglas, who made the return journey to his family’s home town, investing in Axholme Brewing Co as part of a team and taking it to a new level, said: “It’s great to see a Grimbarian at the top of the food and beverage ladder in the hotel sector. Steven has been instrumental in making this deal happen.”
He has been down to train the staff in the particularities of the products.
Mr Drewery said “Docks Beers has always been on my radar for its eye-catching and great tasting beer. I felt strongly that the design-led cans would be a really interesting addition to our drinks menu, and would be a point of difference for our guests. It’s nice for our bar staff to be able to wax lyrical about Grimsby beer to our international clientele. Will really enlightened them about both the history and the huge growth the region is experiencing. The beers are selling well and we are proud to be celebrating the capital of North East Lincolnshire in the hotel.”
At Beer + Burger, Kyle Atkin is assistant manager of the Willesden Greet outlet of a growing family-owned chain. He moved to London during the pandemic, finding employment and thriving.
Mr Douglas said: “It’s great to see Docks Beers featured in their extensive range, one of London’s biggest selections of craft beer, which they serve alongside their burgers.
“They stock amazing craft beer on tap too so we would like to see our beer in keg there before too long. For any Grimbarian craft beer fan, exiled or passing through, this is a place you should definitely check out. It would be the perfect location for a beer and burger should we need to make any trips to Wembley this season!”
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