Speyside Brewery has announced that it is re-commencing production a few yards from the original site.
The Forres-based business was mothballed when the pandemic hit, but has now attracted new investment and is set to re-launch from bigger premises.
The brewery’s founder Seb Jones will continue as managing director and lead the company’s development.
“I am so pleased to be continuing this dream of mine, and to have investors that believe in it just as strongly is fantastic,” he said.
“In larger premises with our equipment, recipes and passion, we will be targeting markets that I believe have always been under-served by beers from Speyside, and Scotland in general.”
The crucial investment comes from Urquhart Brothers, the investment firm started by Stuart and Richard Urquhart, part of the family behind Gordon & MacPhail earlier this year.
Moray-based businesswoman Naidene Urquhart and restaurateur Katalin Urquhart are also becoming directors of the Speyside Brewery.
The brewery opened its doors in 2012; the first in the area for over a decade.
In 2016, the brewery teamed up with one of Speyside’s biggest distillers to create an IPA-influenced whisky and a beer aged in the same single malt casks.
Re-starting production will bring back product lines such as Speyside Lager and Findhorn Killer IPA.
“We’ll be resurrecting many of our beers, and I’m already developing some new ones too,” Jones added. “Many of the new beers will be in direct response to the changing landscape of the drinks market, but importantly for our local economy we’ll be creating employment, which along with happy customers, I find the most satisfying elements of business.”
Speyside Brewery is actively recruiting a head brewer and administration personnel, with more jobs to be created later this year and in early 2023.
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