Microbrewery launches in Rochdale

Posted by on 2 Dec 2015

A husband-and-wife team have launched an artisan microbrewery in Rochdale that will draw influences from British ales, US craft beers and Belgian beers.

Ken and Jenny Lynch, who have already invested some of their own money to set up Serious Brewing Company, have been boosted by a £25,000 start-up loan from Business Finance Solutions (BFS) to buy new brewing equipment. They will produce beers from a site on Fieldhouse Industrial Estate.
The Serious Brewing Company will focus on brewing bottle-conditioned and keg-conditioned beers that draw influence from traditional British ale, US craft beers and aspects of artisan Belgian beers. Initially, the brewery will concentrate on supplying beer in bottles and key-kegs to local shops, pubs and restaurants as well as attending local and farmers’ markets.
They plan to produce casks for local pubs and beer festivals in 2016.
Ken Lynch said: “Thanks to the start-up loan from BFS we were able to buy the equipment we need to brew premium quality beer.
“We have a passion for creating interesting beers that are full of flavour and we enjoy being a little bit experimental. Like us, many people are becoming interested in different styles of beer, it is not just bitter, mild, stout and lager which are popular now.
“Saisons, sour beers, dubbels and trappist beers are becoming increasingly sought-after and we are excited to be brewing beer influenced as much by the brewing traditions of Belgium as our own British ales.”
Alex Mearns, loan officer at BFS, which is part of the Manchester Growth Company, said: “The Serious Brewing Company has a great USP in its market differentiation and is responding to the growing demand for locally produced and craft beers.
“The independent brewing industry is a vibrant and healthy manufacturing sector that has grown and evolved over recent years and we’re very pleased to be supporting Ken and Jenny in their new business launch.”
In addition, the pair received support from the Business Growth Hub, which is also part of the Manchester Growth Company.
Darren Flannery from the growth service team assisted Serious Brewing Company with business planning and worked in partnership with Rochdale Development Agency to find premises. He also helped the company to investigate supermarket contracts and prepare for its forthcoming launch events.