Vine move for brewery boss

Winemaker Chapel Down has hired a former Brewdog boss to head up its beer operations as it prepares to launch a new brewery.

Gareth Bath will join the Tenterden company as managing director of beer with the ambition of taking it “onto the world stage”.

The company has just refreshed its Curious Drinks brand – which includes lager, IPA and cider – with a new “made by winemakers” strapline.

Mr Bath was formerly managing director of brewing and international at Scottish craft beer maker Brewdog.

He joins as the company prepares to open a brewery in Ashford, having raised £1.7 million in a crowdfunding campaign last year to fund construction.

Mr Bath said: “I’m really excited to be joining Chapel Down. They’ve created a fantastic brand in wine and they have a great team.”

Curious Brew lager will be packed in a new 33cl bottle that has a shape nodding to the silhouette of a sparkling wine bottle. It also has a new corkscrew question mark logo.

Chapel Down’s Gareth Bath