Grain Brewery Increases Capacity And Celebrates With A New Beer

April 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Norfolk’s Beer of the Year brewery - Grain, has just finished a renovation that has tripled its capacity, and is now capable of producing up to 45 barrels or 13,000 pints, weekly.

New, purpose-built brewing equipment, made by Malrex Fabrication Ltd in Burton-on-Trent, has succeeded in halving the brewery’s overall energy output, whilst brewing more than twice the beer.

To celebrate the new brew plant, Grain has launched a new beer called 3.1.6., so named after the brewery grade of stainless steel. Brewed with locally grown lager malt and full of hops, the new beer is also accompanied by a unique pump clip made also from 316 stainless steel.

Not only is Grain celebrating the new brew plant this month, but also winning CAMRA Norfolk Beer of the Year for the second year running, with its 5% Porter.

Grain decided to renew its original equipment around 18 months ago, after having had to turn down exciting opportunities, due to its limitations. The old equipment, which came from Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham, brewed around five barrels of beer, which equates to around 1,500 pints, three times a week.

Joint-founder Phil Halls says: “Having hit capacity, we had the new brew kit custom-built for looks, efficiency, and to fit in the existing farm buildings. However, we are more than delighted with the results, and surprisingly can now generate more than twice the amount of beer, for half the amount of energy. We also get a far better extraction rate from our malt, so very little is wasted.”

The renovation marks an era of success for Grain,  who have beaten 53 other beers to be named ‘Norfolk Beer of the Year’ for a second year running, by the Norfolk Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for their 5% Porter Ale.  As well as winning the champion award, the brewery came top in four of the eight categories judged in this year’s CAMRA competition, including Bitter, Best Bitter, Porter and Speciality Beer. The awards will be presented at the Trade Session of the Norwich Beer Festival in October 2012. Earlier this month, Grain’s Champion Premium Bitter, Redwood, also gained a national Bronze award by SIBA - the Society of Independent Brewers.

The renovation also marks the start of a wider expansion of the contemporary real ale brand, as new distributers Liberty Beers and Euroboozer will now help Grain to become a household name in the Greater London area.

For more information on Grain Brewery, please visit www.grainbrewery.co.uk.

-ENDS-

For further information:

Leila Stocker
Turtle PR
Email: leila@turtle-pr.com
Tel: +44 (0)7889 231000

About Grain Brewery
Situated in the Waveney Valley area of Norfolk, Grain’s backdrop includes a tranquil river and miles of stunning views across the richest farmland in England. The brewery is located on South Farm using a converted dairy as its brewhouse and cellars. Grain sells cask beer to local pubs, and bottles to farm shops, delis, hotels and restaurants, as well as further afield into the neighbouring counties and London. Grain has left behind the usual baggage associated with real ale, and its beers are enjoyed by a younger market of both sexes, as well as appealing to all who love great beer. Grain is not afraid to push the boundaries and break tradition by experimenting with new flavours and foreign beers styles, such as its cloudy Belgian style witbier Blonde Ash, and the gloriously grapefruity ruby red beer Redwood. Grain has won numerous awards, such as the coveted Champion Beer of Norfolk in 2011 from CAMRA, bronze in the strong bitter category for Champion Beer of Britain and overall champion winner at SIBA’s 2011 East beer competition. Grain is actively involved in Norwich’s City of Ale festival as well as holding its own annual Summer Festival at the brewery with a great range of beers and dancing until dusk. Group tours are also available at the brewery which includes learning about brewing, experiencing the malt and hops whilst tasting a range of beer styles.
www.grainbrewery.co.uk