A year after setting up a small brewery just before the Covid pandemic hit, a couple have defied expectations and are now expanding.
Daniel and Bethan Jones from Holyhead started a new venture in response to Daniel’s redundancy from the Rehau plastics plant in Amlwch.
They poured their savings and redundancy into setting up a small brewery - Bragdy Cybi - just off the high street in the port town, not knowing what a rollercoaster of a journey was ahead of them.
With fermenters full of beer in March last year coronavirus hit and the nation went into lockdown - shutting hospitality, markets and food fairs.
They decided to sell their beer from the small bottle shop on the brewery premises, selling fresh, craft ale to those within a five mile radius.
Even at this time, keeping up with demand was a challenge. The 200 litre brew kit was only producing on average 270 bottles per batch - leaving customers gasping for more.
Daniel added: “We were also having weekly calls from other local businesses asking to stock us, but due to lack of supply, we had to turn everybody down.
“It’s been both frustrating and inspiring, giving us hope that if we can sell out during a pandemic we can see a bright future.”
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Since then, with business booming despite a nationwide crisis for bigger breweries and food and drink industry, Bethan and Dan (pictured) have plans to expand.
“We’re currently struggling to cope with demand and space so decided to take the plunge and look for an industrial unit,” said Bethan.
“We’re leasing Unit 4 at Penrhos industrial estate and investing in a new 10-barrel brewhouse. This will allow us to brew 10 times as much beer, which will hopefully satisfy online, shop and trade demand.”
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The expansion plans involve adapting the building for brewing purposes. The couple have the funds to invest in the new brewhouse kit but have started a Crowdfunding page to help pay for a second fermenter and a bigger bottling machine.
“Expanding will not only allow us to make more beer, but also to become greener and to train other members of staff offering much needed employment in the area.” Their crowd funding page is at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brewery-expansion
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