The new 11,612m2 site, codenamed Beaverworld, would be able to produce 30,000 330ml cans of beer per hour and would feature a 650m2 visitor centre. The leap to a 450,000hl site is a 10-fold increase on its current brewing capacity.
Other features of the site would include a five vessel fully automated brew house, a 240 x 30l stainless keg per hour line and an external visitor space.
Long-term stability
Chief executive Logan Plant, son of Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant, said the choice of Heineken as a partner offered long term stability for the brewer, allowing it to continue to grow at its own pace without interference.
The decision followed explorations into other funding options, including crowd funding and private investors – both of which were deemed unsuitable by the company.
Plant said: “We retain full control of our destiny. I continue to be the founder, CEO and visionary leading the Beavertown charge and the people you deal with here at the brewery are and will continue to be the dedicated Team Beaver.
‘Doing what we do best’
“Heineken want to support us where we want it and otherwise leave us to get on doing what we do best. If there is anything that they can help with to improve our business across the board, they are there to assist, if we reach out.”
Heineken’s purchase of the minority stake in Beavertown for an undisclosed sum followed a similar acquisition in south London brewer Brixton Brewery in November last year.
The investment allowed Brixton to increase its brewing capacity from 12,000 pints a week to 60,000 with the purchase of a new 1,393m2 site.
Meanwhile, Nestlé is to invest £55m a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Leicestershire.