The husband-and-wife team behind Plymouth’s successful Vessel Beer Shop are planning to start producing their own ale by opening the city’s latest microbrewery and bar - but stress it won’t be for drunks.
Sam and Katie Congdon, who opened their craft ale shop in Exeter Street in 2016, have outlined plans to create Pilgrimage Brewing which would produce small batch craft beers to sell and consume on the premises in a tap room with a “civilised atmosphere”.
The have submitted a pre-application request to planners at Plymouth City Council, outlining a proposal to create the small brewery and bar in a shop unit just three doors away from their current business.
READ MORE: {}
South West food and drink stories
But they stressed the venture would be aimed at “mature” and “professional” customers and would not create alcohol-related problems, with drinkers being restricted to buying just half a pint of the strongest brews.
The couple’s submission to the council said: “We are not interested in selling beer to people who just want to get drunk, and it is in our own interests as well as the council’s to ensure that we maintain a civilised atmosphere in and around our premises to ensure that we attract our intended customer base.”
To help ensure this draught beer will be advertised in a range of measures - thirds/halves/two thirds and pints - and they won’t sell more than half a pint of any beer that has an alcohol by volume (ABV) content of 7.5% or higher and water will be “free and accessible”.
Mr Congdon is intended to be the designated premises supervisor, and is already a member of the Plymouth Best Bar None scheme with Vessel Beer Shop.
The premises will also only hold a maximum of 50 people and the submission said: “We do not anticipate it becoming overcrowded, but we have measures in place to prevent this, and to ensure the safety of our customers.”
Most Read
Mr and Mrs Congdon are founders of Vessel Beer Shop and and stressed they have built a reputation as “founders of the burgeoning craft beer scene in Plymouth”.
In a document submitted to the council the couple said: “Since opening in December 2016 our existing shop and bar has attracted a mature, professional customer base, and we have had zero incidents reported to the council or police regarding our customers.
“Our annual beer festival in Plymouth Guildhall has also had two years with zero incidents and over 1,500 customers visiting each festival weekend.
“We are looking to expand our business opportunities by starting Pilgrimage Brewing on the same street and will be positioning the tap room to attract a similar customer base but with an even greater focus on working with local independent businesses, creatives, and the community.”
The taproom would consist of the two open rooms in the front of the shop area, where a bar will be situated to serve customers. Additional seating and a toilet will be located on the higher level in the rear yard.
The taproom will apply for a license to serve alcohol from 10.30am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, but probably only staying open that late from Thursdays to Saturdays, and 10.30am to 10.30pm on Sundays.
The brewery will be visible from this area but closed off to the public by a 1.4m fence with a fire exit gate into the back lane.
Don’t miss
The brewery, which would create jobs, is envisioned to be sited in the enclosed and roofed backyard with an initial brewery kit producing 150 litres of beer per brew, less than one 海角视频 brewing barrel, and with up to three 150-300 litre fermenters.
Documents submitted to the council said any expansion plans would not exceed a 600-litre brew kit and three 600-litre fermenters, which would make the expansion-sized kit about half the size of either Steel Brew Co, in Plymouth’s Royal William Yard, or Roam Brewing Co, in Peverell.
If it gains full permission, Pilgrimage Brewing would be the latest in a recent wave of microbrewery and tap room openings. In addition top Steel Brew Co and Roam, Bulletproof Brewing opened in Mutley Plain.
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
Mr and Mrs Congdon propose brewing hours from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and said: “The size of the brewery and our intentions to sell most of the beer on site, would mean the brewery would have a lower noise impact than one brewing larger volume or packaging to sell off site.”
Whilst the business will be drink led, the couple aim to provide a cold food offering, mainly bar snacks and said: “We have no intention to produce hot food as part of our business and as a result will have no kitchen or cooking equipment installed. We may invite local food vendors to serve food on an occasional basis, mainly at weekends.”
Officers have said they have no objection to the change of use proposed and a full planning application will now have to be made.