Pubs offered DIY homebrew advice

The founders of a new brewery in Cheshire have set up a consultancy service to advise UK pubs on installing their own micro-brewery.

Both the Beer Republic consultancy and The Blue Ball Brewery were formed in a bid to tap into growing consumer demand for more charismatic beers.

Based at the EBL Centre on Picow Road, Runcorn, the business was set up by Matt Riley, founder of the Home Brew Supermarket, and Alex Haycraft, who brings 12 years experience as a brewer in the US.

Beer Republic claims that its consultancy services will enable free-house pubs to boost their custom and profit margins through production of their own unique ales.

Haycraft reported that Beer Republic was “causing a stir in the north west pub trade, with at least seven or eight pubs already signed up for their own brewing facilities, and a constant stream of serious enquiries from the owners of pubs, clubs and hotels throughout the region.”

With sales of its own beer due to begin this week, the pair also reported strong interest in stocking its products from pubs, clubs and hotels across the north west of England.

With a range including Zeppelin, a hefeweizen style beer, Black Hawk, a blackberry porter and Blonde Bombshell, an American pale ale, Riley noted: “We already have future orders way beyond our most optimistic predictions.

“We have shown that beer enthusiasts want the real thing, rather than the boring and bland brews generally available. And it is the real thing that Blue Ball will give them.”

Gabriel Savage, 11.01.2011