Brewprint for success

Name: Chris Stairmand. What do you do?: My company Brewtique is an artisan bottled beer shop with over 700 different beers from all over the world. We have a small area to drink in too. What prompted you to start your own business?: I have ran pubs in Macclesfield for over eight years and noticed how the beer industry was changing. Seeing the growth in interest for good beers from smaller breweries, I decided on opening Brewtique to give customers the range of beers to cater for most people’s palate. What do you think sets your business apart from the rest?: Our range is great, and very broad; but mostly it is the service which our customers receive. We pride ourselves on our knowledge and ability to find the right beer for the customer. I have employed Tom to manage the shop, and he has a massive knowledge in beer and brewing. So much so he is the chair of the Macclesfield Homebrew Association. What do you enjoy the most about doing this?: For me it is about introducing people to beer, the range of styles that are available now, and the possibilities that is has for food-matching. I also really enjoy the social side of the trade, the friendly beers, the talking and banter. How long have you been in the business?: I’ve ran my own pubs for over eight years now, but like most I’ve been training my beer palate since 18 What’s the best thing about Macclesfield?: The proximity to so much, from beautiful countryside, to bustling cities. Some great pubs and bars, great breweries, and a really good community. Where is your favourite place in Macclesfield?: Apart from Brewtique or The Wharf (my pub on Brook Street), it’d have to be Higher Fence Road with the canal, Swan’s Pool, the ‘secret steps’. It’s a lovely place to live near and walk around daily with my dog. What’s the funniest or most unusual thing to have happened: We get asked for all sorts of different beers in the shop, but the one that sticks in my mind is the moment of realisation on a female customer’s face when she realised that she preferred the Belgian Lambic beer I’d introduced her to over the white wine she’d drank for the previous 20 years. If you could choose anyone, who would be your dream customer and why?: Probably Pete Brown, the author who has written many great books on the trade. He is really learned, and I’d imagine him a great conversationalist over a beer. What advice would you give to anyone thinking of setting up in business?: Research your location, your competition, and your prospective customers. Then research more! But, most importantly, just do it! You cannot succeed unless you try. Do you have any special events planned for the future?: Tuesday, January 26 - Macclesfield Homebrew Meetup Thursday, February 25 - Beer Tasting - £12pp For more information, Chris Stairman - Director E-mail: chris@brewtique. co.uk Tom Lewis - Manager E-mail: info@brewtique. co.uk Twitter @brewtiquemacc