Dream realised in brewery purchase
An innovative brewery in Bath has new bosses and they’re passionate about craft beer.
The new owners of the Electric Bear Brewery Company, David and Mary Horner, have begun an investment programme to take the business to the next exciting stage of its development.
David, managing director of Chelverton Asset Management in Laura Place, Bath, and his wife Mary and their family have lived in Bath for over 20 years.
David has nurtured an ambition to own a craft brewery for many years and when he discovered the Electric Bear Brewing Company was seeking a new buyer he jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve always wanted to own a brewery and have missed out on a number of occasions over the years,” he said, “so when I heard that Bath’s only craft brewery, right here on my doorstep, was available, it was too good an opportunity to miss.
“Electric Bear is hugely popular amongst locals, who have queued round the block for the weekly taproom sessions and love the fun, eye-catching can designs.”
“We are currently expanding the sales team and have employed a University of Bath graduate to help develop our sustainability objectives,” he continued.
“We are investing in new brewing equipment to make Electric Bear one of the best-known craft breweries in the region.”
“We have lots of exciting plans in
the pipeline and would like to invite the owners of local pubs, restaurants, bars, off-licences, farm shops and, of course local beer-lovers, to visit us at the brewery and discover our fantastic range of delicious beers”.
The Electric Bear Brewing Company, is named after the old 19th century Bear Brewery in Bear Flat, described in 1893 as “undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy breweries in the West of England”.
Both the Brewery and the Bear Inn alongside were destroyed during the Bath Blitz in 1942, but only the Bear Inn was rebuilt.
The ‘Electric’ part of the name relates to how the brewery first
powered its brewhouse kettle, using a ‘copper’ to boil the wort.
“Brewing four new craft beers a month, we strive to create innovative and delicious beer that delivers on that ‘glad to be alive’ vibe,” said head brewer, Ian Morris,
“We are particularly well known for our 4.6 per cent lager ‘Mixtape,’ 4.2 per cent American pale ale ‘Werrrd!’ and the latest addition, our 5 per cent pale ale ‘Tondo.’”
The brewery shop is open Monday to Friday and the Taproom is open Thursday to Sunday, with fresh local street food, live music events and a big screen, at The Maltings, Brassmill Lane, Bath. See www.electricbearbrewing.co.uk.