Supplier news
Hop Market website launches to enable brewers to trade hops With the last 12 months being some of the most challenging in the history of brewing and hospitality, a new online hop exchange platform has been created to enable brewers to trade hops directly between themselves, safely and authentically. Hop Market supports the industry by allowing brewers to list their surplus hops to buy and sell on the platform easily and seamlessly between one another. Allowing the fair and transparent online exchange of hops between breweries via a simple, straightforward, online platform. Hop Market was set up by business owner Tom Veal, who has a passion for supporting businesses and helping them future proof and grow their online revenues. Tom’s ambition is to support the brewery community with a platform driven by the needs of the community itself and welcomes all ideas to improve it for the benefit of the community. Once brewers sign up and list their available hops for sale, hops will be available from
brewers all over the UK in various size packages and at various price points, meaning those in need can choose what suits them at any particular moment and not have to sign contracts or give commitments in these uncertain times. The flexibility offered by Hop Market will enable more innovation, allowing brewers to try out more recipes by ordering smaller amounts of the hops they may not have initially intended to try, or may not have tried before. Hops will be shipped quickly and directly, enabling brewers to make decisions more rapidly about their plans and brewing schedules. All purchases on Hop Market are protected by an escrow payment protection. Once an order is placed, the funds are held in escrow until the hops are received and checked for their quality and accuracy of listing, before releasing the funds to the seller. This ensures both the buyers and sellers are fully protected and able to use the platform with confidence. Find out more at www.hopmarket.co.uk
Brewing Services Ltd works with Drop Bear Beer Co to build its new dedicated alcohol-free brewery The team at Brewing Services Ltd has been working with Drop Bear since mid2020 to help develop its range of nonalcoholic beers and has now been given the task of planning the new brewery. Drop Bear Beer Co succeeded in securing a £1.8million equity investment to build the dedicated alcohol-free brewery. The development of its brewery will allow Drop Bear to increase production and market share and fuel the company’s drive to establish Drop Bear as a key national and international player in the burgeoning alcohol-free market. The new brewery will incorporate several novel modifications to the brewery design and brewing process to facilitate the production of non-alcoholic beers. David Smith, Managing
Director of Brewing Services, said: “We are currently working with architects to design and build the new purpose-built facility which will house a new brewhouse along with a canning line and keg beer facility. At the same time, we are discussing with various equipment suppliers the design of the brewing equipment required and process modifications we want to make to help produce this style of beer without the need of heavy dilution or de-alcoholising.” Founded in 2019 by Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena, Drop Bear started producing their beers in 2020 using a contract brewer and packager. In early 2021 they launched an extremely successful equity investment campaign to raise funds to build their own dedicated alcohol-free brewery. Joelle Drummond, who
is Drop Bear’s sales and marketing director, said: “In less than two years and with a very humble personal investment, Sarah and I have transformed Drop Bear from just an idea into a multimillion-pound business with an international reputation. This new investment will help the company achieve its aim of opening only the second UK – and first Welsh - alcoholfree brewery.” The Drop Bear brewery will be located in South Wales, with a site currently under consideration and plans underway to get the brewery fully functional by the end of October 2021. Find out more at www.dropbearbeers.com or visit www.brewingservices.co.uk.
www.siba.co.uk | SIBA Independent Brewer | Summer 2021
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