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New wheels put Moorhouse’s
on road Lancashire’s fast growing Moorhouse’s Brewery has invested in its first 26 tonne Mercedes-Benz dray wagon to meet spiralling demand for its world beating ‘witch’ ales. The fully-liveried Axor HGV with a 300 firkins* capacity will now be seen waving the flag around northern roads as a symbol of the rapidly rising sales for the North West’s largest dedicated cask-ale brewery. In recent years beer volumes have soared by 130 per cent and last Christmas sales smashed through all previous seasonal records. The Burnley brewery is now poised for a £3m expansion that will double production capacity to some 700 barrels a week and establish a visitor centre and training school. The fleet investment adds to the two 7.5 tonne
vehicles - both capable of carrying 60 firkins - already in service.
It will allow Moorhouse’s
to meet the demands of its national accounts with one delivery. As
an essential part of the investment seven strong dray team - plus
managing director David Grant - have been put through Class 2 HGV
training.
David Grant said: “For a brewery of our size, this is a major step up for the delivery fleet. It will greatly improve beer delivery efficiency and cost management in the current difficult economic climate. With business growing so quickly, it increases our payload for servicing major customers such as Scot Co and Marstons - allowing us to deliver 300 firkins in one drop. “To ensure that the use of the vehicle is fully exploited all our drivers – and myself – have been put through HGV training to Class 2 level. It was a challenge and is a credit to them that they passed with flying colours. I am now looking forward to getting behind the wheel myself sometimes. “This capital investment has been made as we enjoy rising sales both in the free trade and with pub companies following the tremendous efforts of our sales team and increased use of SIBA’s (Society of Independent Brewers) Direct Delivery Scheme. We now have even more confidence in our exciting plans for the future as we increasingly convince publicans that by stocking our cask beers they will boost business.” Last December Moorhouse’s became the smallest UK brewer ever to launch a television advertising campaign for its famous ‘Lancashire witches’ beers - Black Cat, Pendle Witches Brew and Blond Witch- along with the international championship winning ales Pride of Pendle and Premier Bitter**.
Lancashire’s famous Moorhouse’s Brewery marked its sixth annual golf competition with two separate day-long contests for customers and suppliers. Thirty-two teams took part in the charity
event - complete with a steel band - at the Standish Court Golf
Club, near Chorley. Nearly £1400
was raised for the Pendleside Hospice in Burnley, with a raffle of
prizes donated by suppliers and an auction of two places in the cast
of the brewery’s next ‘witches’ TV commercial – bought
for £500*.
A team fielded by the Birches Hotel in Whitworth, Rochdale (see photograph) emerged victorious for the first day of the event. The Birches also took top spot two years ago. David Grant, managing director, said: “Our competition has gone from strength to strength over the years and become so popular that we had to run it over two days this year to accommodate all the teams. We had a terrific couple of days while also doubling the money we raised for charity.” BACK
TO TOP Following two recent transatlantic trips - including time spent at a world class business school - managing director David Grant is now developing a business strategy for sales in the burgeoning North American imported beer market. Two new bottled brands - Blond Bitch (4.5%abv) and the stronger English Owd Ale (5.9%) – have been produced exclusively for the US, joining established brands Black Cat and Pendle Witches Brew that have both sold in the niche Halloween market for several years. The American beverage authority has recently approved the labelling and packaging for the new ales - giving the green light for the Burnley brewer to fully launch the beers and attract year round sales. Now a US sales executive is to be appointed to drive business directly with supermarkets and liquor stores in support of the import agents Legends of Baltimore. David Grant secured a place on a marketing
scholarship at the internationally renowned Kellogg Graduate School
of Management, Illinois – the
only executive from an independent UK brewer ever to be selected.
He was also one of just eight executives from UK SMES (small and
medium size companies) that joined 40 managers from international
giants such as Ericcson, GE, Sisco Systems and the Cascade Corporation.*
The week was followed by time with the Louis Glunz Beer Inc of Chicago, founded in 1888 and America’s oldest beer wholesaler, where David worked in sales and spoke with many liquor store buyers. He also met John Glunz, the head of the company, to discuss marketing strategy and was invited to return just two weeks later to attend the annual Glunz Beer Expo trade show. In its 26th year the show was attended by 2,500 liquor store and bar managers. Ready for the second trip, T Shirts were printed that take a humorous approach to Blond Bitch and English Owd Ale (see photograph). David Grant said: “I went back out there with Mike Hiscock, national accounts manager, - armed with the T shirts - and this proved to be terrifically useful. We met many buyers who were very enthusiastic about our products and attracted interest from the US media. “We have had a foothold in the US market
at Halloween for some years, but both the time at Kellogg and with
Glunz gave me a real insight into the way we should approach the
market out there. It was absolutely invaluable to a relatively
small brewery from Burnley, without the resources of big companies. “Moorhouse’s has the advantage of the unique proposition
for Halloween, which is of course much celebrated out there, and
we are going to build on that. While in the States I became convinced
that we need to employ our own sales person because the market there
is structured completely differently to the UK. There the liquor
stores are massive and it is very easy for your products to be buried
if you don’t have a dedicated agent. Only 20 people a year are selected from hundreds of applicants for two annual Kellogg programmes, sponsored by British businessman Ellis Goodman, CBE - who has lived in Chicago for more than 20 years and introduced Mexican Corona beer to the US - and supported by UK Trade & Investment. BACK
TO TOP Moorhouse’s Brewery, the North West’s internationally acclaimed dedicated cask-ale brewer, has pledged ongoing support for a major snooker tournament in East Lancashire’s clubs. The Burnley brewer agreed a sponsorship deal last year when, after a 16 year absence, the once popular Golden Cue contest was resurrected by the Burnley Express newspaper. Club members from Burnley, Pendle and Ribble Valley were eligible to enter the £1,000 prize money individual contest, with a first prize of £400 and second prize of £200. In a grand final in Burnley’s Ighten Leigh Social Club, the
club’s own Jonny O’Reilly claimed the title with a resounding
4-0 win over Joe Nolan of Colne Snooker Club. At the presentation
Express sports editor Edward Lee proclaimed the Moorhouse’s
Golden Cue a huge success, thanking Moorhouse’s for its support
and Neil McGovern of Ighten Leigh for his organisation of the revived
event.
Pledging sponsorhip for a second year Moorhouse’s
managing director David Grant said: “Moorhouse’s has developed business with many social clubs and we wish to see them thrive. The renewed sponsorship of the Golden Cue is a firm indication of our commitment to clubs. Dedicated to cask-conditioned ale, we firmly believe that, handled with care, it is a real point of difference for clubs. Experience shows that stocking our award winning cask ales will reward clubs with increased trade. Ighten Leigh is a great example of this. “The contest was a good trade generator for the clubs and
the attendance at Ighten Leigh for the semi-finals and final was
really terrific. For Moorhouse’s the competition has further
raised the brewery’s profile among club-goers as we prepare
for major expansion.” Moorhouse’s claims another first The boss of Lancashire’s fast-growing Moorhouse’s Brewery has achieved another first for UK brewing. Managing director David Grant is the only executive from Britain’s independent craft breweries ever to win a place on a world leading US business scholarship scheme. He is one of just ten students selected to
attend a two week marketing programme with the internationally
renowned Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Illinois. The British
Government backed scholarship* aims to give executives from the
UK’s SMEs (small-and- medium-
sized companies) an understanding of effective marketing in the States.
It includes a week spent in industry and Grant will join Chicago’s
Louis Glunz Beer Inc. Founded in 1888, Glunz is America’s oldest
beer wholesaler.
Famous for its internationally acclaimed cask-conditioned ‘Pendle Witches’ ales, Moorhouse’s is currently poised to launch new products in North America following substantial domestic growth in recent years. Two new bottled beers - Blond Bitch and English Owd Ale - have recently been developed for the American market. Existing award winning brands Black Cat and Pendle Witches Brew have also been imaginatively re-packaged for the sales offensive. David Grant said: “I have visited the States several times and we have a toe-hold there with our two established bottle brands. But we are now looking to substantially grow our business stateside. This highly prestigious scholarship will give me a tremendous insight into marketing US style and the time spent with Glunz Beer is particularly relevant and will be invaluable.” The Burnley brewery has more brewing awards than any brewer of comparable
size and achieved another first last December when it became the
smallest brewer ever to launch a TV advertising campaign. Britain’s number one beer writer, Roger Protz, made a whistle-stop tour of Moorhouse’s Brewery and its pub estate following a major brewing awards success. Journalist Roger, author of the CAMRA (Campaign
for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide and many books on both UK and international
beers*, visited the fast growing Burnley brewery to be briefed
on the recent record breaking sales, pub investments and future
development plans. The visit came just two weeks after Moorhouse’s Premier Bitter
was proclaimed the UK’s top standard bitter by SIBA, the Society
of Independent Brewer’s - the latest in many top national and
international awards for the North West’s only dedicated cask-conditioned
ale brewer.
On the tour Roger gave an interview to David
Saville of BBC Radio Lancashire, during which he described the
various beers styles and praised the quality and range of Moorhouse’s
brews.
Managing director David Grant said: “It was both a great pleasure and a real honour to have Roger Protz visit us for an update on our achievements in recent years and our ambitious plans for the future. So soon after the terrific recent SIBA win for Premier Bitter, it was particularly gratifying to be able to tell our story to the UK’s most respected beer writer.” Moorhouse’s enjoyed the best ever records sales last December when it also became the smallest brewery ever to launch a TV advertising campaign. In recent years it has invested heavily in the six strong pub estate and is now poised for a major expansion that will double production capacity and create a visitor and training centre on the Accrington Road site. BACK
TO TOP Lancashire’s internationally acclaimed Moorhouse’s Brewery has appointed departing Tadcaster publican Simon Oates to lead a new sales drive in Yorkshire. With almost thirty years’ experience in the brewing/pub industry-
including running the town’s popular Jackdaw Inn, for several
years – Simon joins the award-winning brewery as it is poised
to double production capacity.
He is now leaving the pub to take up the post of account manager as Moorhouse’s enjoys the success of a Yorkshire TV advertising campaign in December that further boosted sales east of the Pennines. Moorhouse’s produces the famous ‘Pendle Witches’ cask ale brands, including Black Cat, voted Champion Beer of Britain 2000 by the Campaign for Real Ale*. Prior to taking the popular Jackdaw in 1998, Simon, 47, spent 20 years in various management roles with John Smith’s Brewery, including business development manager responsible for Leeds and West Yorkshire. Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “Simon’s terrific experience of the industry will be invaluable to us at this very exciting stage in our growth. Our award winning cask beers sell very well in Yorkshire, but the pre-Christmas TV campaign provoked further strong interest. Simon will build on that.” Father-of-five Simon said: “This is a terrific opportunity
to make a contribution to the future success of Moorhouse’s.
I am greatly looking forward to the challenge.”
Moorhouse’s
victory in Lancashire’s record breaking Moorhouse’s Brewery is celebrating national acclaim for its popular Premier Bitter as the UK’s number one standard strength cask ale. The brew was hailed as the top beer of its
style with the gold award for standard strength brews (up to 4%abv) – the biggest category
- from Britain’s independent brewers. And after taking the
title at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) National Beer
Competition in York, Premier went on to scoop silver place overall
in the battle of 342 UK beers, ranging from mild to speciality ales.
The competition is judged on commercial appeal by brewers, trade
wholesalers, beer writers and other industry experts.
Premier Bitter has seen many victories in the past – including world-wide acclaim when it took gold in its class at the Brewing Industry International Awards (BIIA) 2004 and Moorhouse’s has won more brewing awards than any other brewer of a comparable size.* Managing Director David Grant said: “To
be recognised by our brewing industry peers is a real honour and
a tremendous tribute to the sheer dedication of the brewing team.
The beers in this contest are judged not just on brewing excellence
but also on commercial appeal. Winning this award means we are
now recognised as producing the most saleable normal strength beer
from among several hundred independent brewers from throughout
the country.
“Premier Bitter is simply top quality cask-conditioned beer relatively low in strength and therefore very suitable for drinking on a night out with friends. With this top accolade under our belts we now aim to make it available in many more pubs in the North West and Yorkshire as we stand on the brink of a major expansion.” Moorhouse’s is currently planning a multi-million pound development
next to the present Accrington Road site that will double production
capacity and include a state-of-the-art training and visitor’s
centre. Last December the company enjoyed the best ever sales record
following a roll out of TV commercials that made Moorhouse’s
the smallest UK brewer ever to launch a television advertising campaign.
Internationally acclaimed cask-ale brewer Moorhouse’s celebrated the success of Lancashire’s top dining destination at the star studded Hi-Life Dining Awards 2008. The independent Burnley brewer sponsored the ‘Best Lancashire
Restaurant’ at a glittering celebrity charity dinner, with
the accolade scooped by premier Hoghton, Preston, venue the Thyme
@ Sirloin. A fiercely fought contest – hailed as ‘The
Dining Oscars of the North’- saw Hi-Life diners vote in 12
categories.
Held in Manchester’s five-star Hilton Hotel in the new Beetham Tower, the star-studded night was attended by many of the region’s leading show-biz personalities including Slade front man Noddy Holder, comedian Dave Spikey, and several members of the casts from both Coronation Street and Brookside. A raffle and charity pledge raised £6,200 for the Christie Hospital in Manchester. Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “ Thyme at Sirloin displays Lancashire’s well deserved reputation for top dining. Recognition at this prestigious event is a real accolade. As a world renowned independent brewer committed to the highest quality in our beers we are very keen to promote the excellence of Lancashire’s hospitality industry. Thyme @ Sirloin is a terrific example of that excellence and was chosen from very stiff competition.” BACK
TO TOP Moorhouse’s - the North West’s largest dedicated cask-conditioned-ale brewer - has entered 2008 with several new business wins after smashing all previous festive sales records. Trading saw a ten per cent increase on last year’s (2006) seasonal figures - themselves an all time high - with 1,200 brewers barrels sold in December up to Christmas Eve. The sales came during a December roll out of a 30-second TV commercial in the Granada and Yorkshire regions that made Moorhouse’s the smallest UK brewer ever to launch a television campaign. The Burnley based brewer produces the famous ‘witch’ beers - Black Cat, Pendle Witches Brew and Blond Witch- along with the international championship winning Pride of Pendle and Premier Bitter. In recent years sales have soared by 130 per cent. Now the brewery is poised to double capacity to more than 700 barrels a week with a £2m investment. Managing director David Grant said: “Once again our sales fly in the face of the pundits that forever peddle doom and gloom for the ale market. A TV campaign was a major marketing leap of faith for us, but, without doubt, the creative commercial provided a powerful platform for our festive sales offensive and captured the attention of many cask ale drinkers. “The exposure has further raised our profile for the future and, as a result, we have already gained several new accounts for 2008. In the autumn the commercial will run again to promote our unique Halloween beers - and beat the highest ever sales achieved last year. “Our experience indicates that, despite
many pubs struggling through the first Christmas of the smoking
ban, cask ale sales have held up extremely well. This underscores
our conviction that cask is a terrific selling point for pubs and
gives us even more confidence in our exciting plans for the future.” Moorhouse’s is magic say brewers Moorhouse’s, the North West’s leading dedicated cask-conditioned ale brewer, has scooped another top brewing accolade.
Moorhouse’s is famed for its Pendle Witches themed beers and
has won more brewing awards than any other brewer of comparable size.*
This latest success follows an all time high for festive season sales
during the brewer’s first ever TV advertising campaign. Premier
Bitter will now go forward for judging at the National SIBA Conference
in March. “This year we face many challenges in the industry as we also prepare to progress our plans for a £2m investment to double production capacity. The award reinforces our conviction that we brew some of the best cask beer in the world and further boosts our confidence in the future plans.” Moorhouse’s directly supplies more than
400 free house pubs in the North West and Yorkshire while its beers
reach many outlets further a-field via leading drinks wholesalers,
including Scottish Courage, and through the SIBA Direct Delivery
Scheme to major pub companies.
Lancashire’s fastest growing cask-ale Head chef Richard Smith at the Sparrow Hawk, Wheatley Lane, Fence near Burnley, put together a five-course ‘tapas-style’ menu featuring several of the region’s traditional dishes matched with Moorhouse’s award winning cask-conditioned brands. The event was organised by the pubs’ assistant manager Amanda
Baily and attracted about fifty guests. Amongst the diners was BBC’s
Radio Lancashire journalist David Saville, who broadcast a report
the station’s Drivetime slot (see link) the following day.
Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “Our popular showcase events take discerning drinkers through tutored tasting of our ales, but this time food was carefully matched with our five core beers. “Richard came up with some spectacular dishes to make it a great success. Fish and chips paired with our Blond Witch was a particular hit for most diners. This beer is a light coloured cask beer with a wonderful balance of sweetness and bitterness and it was a delight with the haddock.” Manager Darren Sporson reported a ‘very successful’ night
at the historic coaching inn which has earned a reputation for the
outstanding quality of its food and ale in recent years and was voted ‘Pub
of the Season’ by Camra (Campaign for Real Ale). Chef Richard
was previously at the renowned Angel at Hetton, Gargrave and the
popular Tempest Arms, near Skipton. David Grant adds: “Our aim was to nail the myth that wine is the only drink for food and to get across that diners should not automatically ask for the wine list when enjoying a special meal, but explore how our own national drink can be a great accompaniment. The potential is enormous and simply within our own portfolio we found the beers were a delight with the variety of food on offer. This was a night of terrific real Lancashire ale with wonderful real Lancashire food.” “The team at the Sparrow Hawk did a
tremendous job putting on the evening and set the template for
future showcase events. I think people were surprised at the breadth
of choice and quality that our beers can deliver when dining. Everyone
appeared to enjoy the experience and I think we might have converted
a few.”
Moorhouse’s managing director The card features an imaginative artist’s impression of the original Victorian brewery created by William Moorhouse in Moorhouse Street, Burnley, and also includes details of yuletide brew Santa’s Piste (4.5%abv). And for the second successive year Lancashire’s internationally acclaimed brewer has stepped up production of this ‘full and fruity ale’. Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “Once again we are brewing more Santa’s Piste this year so we won’t disappoint anyone. To further stimulate interest and also wish them the season’s greetings we have sent the cards out to all our customers. It was a painstaking task to sign every one of them, but at Moorhouse’s we pride ourselves on a personal service and I think that is appreciated”. “Santa’s Piste is a grist brew that matches the festive mood well with both its taste and humorous branding and has been very well received since we introduced it two years ago.” The award winning brewer also anticipates
record sales growth for its five core brands* over the Christmas
and New Year period following the roll-out of its new TV advertising
campaign in both the Granada and Yorkshire TV regions. David Grant
added: “It
has already been a record year, but we expect this Christmas will
be our best ever following the TV commercials screening from
December 10th.”
Moorhouse’s famous Black Cat has cast its Halloween spell nationwide as the world acclaimed Lancashire brewer celebrates an all time sales record. More than 550 firkins – nearly 40,000 pints - of the award
winning brand (voted Camra Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2000)
have left the brewery this month destined for Wetherspoon’s
pubs throughout the UK. The deal with Britain’s premier real-ale
pub chain means Moorhouse’s has already doubled last year’s
seasonal sales and even outstripped Christmas 2006 by some thirty
per cent. It comes as Moorhouse’s annual figures show a 16
per cent growth over the past year.
A further sales boost has come as leading North supermarket Booths promotes the newly launched bottled Blond Witch throughout October, while the Burnley brewer has also released its seasonal ‘broomstick’ cask range. These carefully crafted cask-conditioned ales supplement the regular brands – Pendle Witches Brew, Blond Witch and Black Cat – to celebrate the legend of the infamous Pendle Witches. The five brews are: Broomstick Bitter (4.0%abv); Witchcraft (4.8%abv); Black Witch (4.2%abv); Witches Cauldron (4.2%abv); Witchfinder General (4.4%abv). Moorhouse’s supplies many pubs throughout Lancashire and Cumbria and since 2002 has enjoyed year-on-year growth. A major expansion is planned that will see production capacity doubled to some 700 barrels a week. David Grant, Moorhouse’s managing director, said: “Halloween is always a special time of year for us in Lancashire but the deals with Wetherspoon and Booths make our beer the season’s choice for discerning drinkers far and wide. “We have already enjoyed our best ever year sales week and
we are still taking orders to meet customers’ needs right up
to October 31st . This success comes from our hard work in recent
years to make our brands the preferred beers of Halloween - without
the benefit of a huge advertising budget. It is another terrific
step forward in our ambitious expansion plans.” Six weeks before Halloween strange sights were witnessed around Lancashire’s mysterious Pendle Hill. First of all drinkers in Blacko, near Nelson, saw a group of ugly, black clad, hags supping ale in the popular Rising Sun. Then more were spotted wandering near the village of Barley, where the infamous Pendle Witches roamed in the early 1600s before execution in Lancaster Castle. And it was all thanks to Moorhouse’s Brewery of Burnley. Not, you understand, an overdose of their award winning cask-conditioned ale, but the production of a promotional film and TV commercial for the world beating brands*. Moorhouse’s is enjoying year-on-year growth for their famous ‘witch’ beers and now plans a major investment to double capacity and provide a state-of-the-art training and visiting centre. The film, which includes the dramatic story of the witches’ arrest and journey to Lancaster assizes, will first be used for an autumn trade sales push of packaged beers in the United States. There, two new bottled beers - Blond Bitch and English Owd Ale – will be unveiled in Las Vegas while the much celebrated Black Cat and Pendle Witches Brew will be re-launched with powerful redesigned branding. Next year it is planned to roll out the TV commercial, where the witches are seen enjoying Moorhouse’s beers in a humorous pub quiz scenario.
Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “We have taken this plunge into commercial filming as we prepare for the next step in our expansion. We have, of course, built on the strong Pendle Witches’ heritage, which has been crucial to the image of our world class brands for many years. But the ten-day film production was not without strange problems. Several incidents played havoc with the hectic schedule. Dry ice, for use in the witches’ goblets, was ordered but delivered to the other end of the country, while a smoke machine didn’t turn up on the right day, a horse got lost around Pendle and there was a problem with a generator. Meanwhile, back at the brewery, other mysterious glitches hindered the brewing team, placing even further demands on David Grant and all Moorhouse’s staff as they worked closely with Salford based production company Picture Coverage. “We quickly dealt with the brewery issues with no effect on quality or trade,” said David Grant. “But the camera crew got a little nervous and worried that it might be the witches’ coven up to their old mischief and sticking some pins in us. I don’t know about that but it was very peculiar. “However we successfully completed what will be an impressive film and commercial on schedule. Now we can promote our beers both at home and abroad with some imaginative material. It will be invaluable to our expansion plan.” Picture Coverage managing director
David Gerrard added: “I even had a fire alert when I picked
up costumes in Denton. We produce many films and commercials every
year and were uncharacteristically hit by small problems despite
our meticulous planning. However, I’m glad to say we overcame
them all and completed the filming on schedule.” Mayors at Moorhouses
The North West civic leaders were shown around the brew-house by managing director David Grant and chairman Bill Parkinson, before enjoying a tasting of Moorhouse’s award winning cask ale Guests included the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Mrs Ruth Winterbottom. Make
mine a Cedric’s Royal guide Cedric Robinson has had a beer named after him at his village
pub, The Guide over Sands in Allithwaite, near Grange over Sands, Cumbria.
‘Cedric’s’ is a 4.2%abv pale coloured ale brewed by Burnley’s world champion brewer Moorhouse’s. Cedric said: “It is very amusing to have a beer named after me. I hope people will enjoy the drink”. Guide over Sands landlord Steve McGriskin said: “Moorhouse’s produces great beer and we are thrilled to have our own specially brewed cask ale in honour of Cedric. I am sure it will prove to be very popular with our customers”. Moorhouse’s sales executive David Slane said: “The brewery is very pleased to be associated with royalty. When asked by Steve, we were absolutely delighted to brew a beer in Cedric’s honour and mark the outstanding contribution he has made to the Grange over Sands area over his long career. At Moorhouse’s we are always happy to help out true publicans like Steve, with a pub at the heart the local community."BACK TO TOP Brewery chief reopens his local - Atherton’s Pendle Witch Moorhouse’s Brewery boss Bill Parkinson formally reopened his very own local, the Pendle Witch, Atherton, following a major £210,000 revamp of the popular town centre pub.
For many years the pub has been a regular haunt for Mr Parkinson, chairman of the famous Lancashire brewery and one the town’s most prominent businessmen. He is often to be seen enjoying a pint of Blond Witch while shooting pool as a member of the pub team. A CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide pub with a reputation for its beer festivals Moorhouse’s has sympathetically redeveloped the Warburton Place hostelry to create a ‘beacon’ for their world renowned beers in Greater Manchester. The work includes a refurbished bar lounge and new games room, with plasma screens for sporting events, along with a customised catering kitchen and conservatory eating area. Also, a £20,000 spend on the existing popular pub garden has enhanced the outside area that is now equipped with giant parasols, heating and lighting. Unveiling the pub at a show night opening event complete with barbecue and the Blue Bells Steel Band, Bill Parkinson said: “It is wonderful to see my local, already a great pub, become a real jewel in the crown for Moorhouse’s. The investment marks another milestone in the spiral of success we have enjoyed in recent years. The pub is now a true showcase for that success. It will be a terrific venue for the people of Atherton and cask beer lovers from miles around.” Managing Director David Grant said: “This new look will secure the future of the ever-popular Pendle Witch for many years. The outside development provides a delightful pub garden in the centre of town and will certainly be a great plus now the smoking ban is in place. Also, the installation of a modern kitchen and conservatory provides for terrific casual dining alongside top quality cask ales and authentic imported lagers. “This is a huge investment as Moorhouse’s moves rapidly towards regional brewer status and truly demonstrates our overwhelming commitment to the future of our business. The Pendle Witch will be a terrific pub and act as a beacon for Moorhouse’s in the area.” World acclaimed Moorhouse’s has rolled out its fastest growing brand - Blond Witch - in a bottle as the Lancashire brewer continues to invest in the growth of its championship beers.
The distinctive 500ml Blond Witch bottle is slimmer and lighter than any beer bottle in the UK market, while the colourful label draws on the witch heritage of Lancashire’s Pendle Hill to feature a blonde peasant girl. Ahead of government legislation, the label also carries the units of alcohol and a responsible drinking message. Earlier this year Blond Witch cask bewitched brewer’s at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) North Conference when it took the gold award in the ‘Best Bitters’ class and then scooped a bronze triumph overall from the 94 beers competing at the conference awards. Since the initial roll-out in 2005 it has also chalked up several wins at leading CAMRA beer festivals throughout the UK. In a humorous slant for the American market the beer will be sold there as ‘Blond Bitch’. Moorhouse’s brands are already extremely popular in the States around Halloween, but the name change is aimed at breaking away from the witches theme to gain further sales throughout the year. The
beer was rolled out at the New Inn, Clitheroe, at the heart of the
Pendle area where the legendary witches roamed, and was heralded by
town crier Roland Hailwood with the Moorhouse’s blond witch girls. Managing
director David Grant said: “The terrific quality of cask Blond
Witch was recognised when it launched as summer seasonal three years
ago and it has proved enormously popular since joining our other four
core championship ales*. So far this year the independent Burnley brewery has invested in a major extension and refurbishment of the Pendle Witch pub in Atherton and is poised to undertake an export drive in the US as it also plans to develop the Accrington Road site and double production. BACK TO
TOP Champion North West brewer Moorhouse’s has begun a major scheme to extend and upgrade the Pendle Witch in Atherton. The £210,000 revamp is a key investment for the famous Lancashire
cask-ale brewery owned by the town’s prominent businessman Bill
Parkinson*.
Work will be completed while the pub remains open for business, except for two weeks in early June with, an official re-opening planned for mid June. Long serving Joan Houghton will continue as licensee. The project follows several years of planning and discussions with the private landlord to agree a 25-year lease. Managing director David Grant said: “We have planned this for some time and disruption will be kept to a minimum. But we apologise for any inconvenience caused to any nearby residents or pub-goers. It will secure the future of the ever-popular Pendle Witch at a difficult time for the trade when, to survive and thrive, pubs must meet many challenges.
“This is a huge investment in a pub that has been a first class
cask-ale house for many years and demonstrates our overwhelming commitment
to constantly growing our business. We will offer a range of cask ales
and authentic imported lagers. The Pendle Witch will be a terrific venue
for existing regulars while also welcoming new customers and acting as
a Moorhouse’s ‘beacon’ in Greater Manchester.” Intent on finding a hearty meal and a warming ale, Lisa Miles tracks down three of the region’s brewers for a pie and a pint and puts the world to rights. Choosing
a pub for lunch with three brewers is a complex task that requires
much in-depth research of hostelries and their various liquid refreshments.
In search of neutral territory, the cosy surroundings of Sam’s
Chop House in Manchester seems a suitable choice.
Lancashire’s internationally acclaimed cask-ale brewer Moorhouse’s celebrated the success of the North’s top dining destinations at the star studded annual Hi-Life Dining Awards. The independent Burnley brewer sponsored the ‘Best
Lancashire Restaurant’ at the glittering celebrity dinner, with
the accolade scooped by premier Preston venue Healey’s of the
Barton Grange Hotel. A fiercely fought contest – hailed as ‘The
Dining Oscars of the North’- saw Hi-Life diners vote in 12 categories.
After receiving the award from Moorhouse’s chairman Bill Parkinson and Andrew Lancel, Healey’s general manager Robert Kite said: “We are absolutely delighted to win an award. It is an honour to be recognised by Hi-Life, the biggest dining club in the UK, and especially by the diners who cast their votes.” Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “Healey’s
is a terrific restaurant that upholds Lancashire’s reputation for
top dining. Recognition at this prestigious event was extremely well
deserved. As a world renowned independent brewer committed to the highest
quality beers we are very keen to promote the excellence of Lancashire’s
hospitality industry. Healey’s is a shining example of that excellence.” Champion North West brewer Moorhouse’s has unveiled plans to expand and enhance its pub estate in 2007. The independent Lancashire brewer has already begun talks to buy a tranche of ten outlets that fit the business profile of strong community pubs. Meanwhile the brewery’s Pendle Witch in Atherton is to benefit from a £200,000 renovation to create a flagship pub inside the Great Manchester conurbation. A 13-week project begins next month (Feb) and includes a major catering upgrade and garden development in preparation for the impending smoking ban. The plans were announced following a record level
of festive trading – up
18 per cent in value- in line with Moorhouse’s year-on-year growth
for its championship cask-conditioned beers in recent years. Both the
brewery and estate have benefited from this growth with a total of some £2m
spent on equipment, transport, a new administrative centre, buying two
new pubs and several refurbishments, including a major upgrade of the
brewery tap. Also a £1m scheme to re-develop and expand the brewery,
subject to development go-ahead, was announced last June. David Grant, managing director, said: “Despite tough conditions in the ale market we continued to win new business in 2006 – for instance a supply deal for Premier Bitter with Mitchell’s of Lancaster and listing with S&NUK Cellarman’s Reserve for Blond Witch. Our investments are in line with that success and are very substantial for an independent brewer.” “Also, last summer, we revealed details of our exciting plans to redevelop and raise production capacity to 600 barrels a week. The purchase of new outlets is a natural fit to those plans. For sometime we have had a substantial war chest to buy new pubs. However, the over-valued climate of the property market has failed to deliver the opportunities we would have liked. “But we start 2007 on the brink of a deal
that, if successful, will considerably extend our tied estate while
we continue to seek other properties in the North West and Yorkshire.
Acquisitions are at the heart of our long-term aim to secure the market
for our top quality cask-ale as we continue to fly in the face of the
doom and gloom merchants.” Moorhouse’s Blond Witch ale has bewitched SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) members in the north. The internationally acclaimed Lancashire brewer’s fastest growing brand, Blond Witch (4.5%abv) scooped the gold award in the ‘Best Bitters’ class followed by a bronze triumph overall among the 94 entries at the SIBA Northern Conference Awards held in Southport. Since its initial roll-out in 2005 the beer has
chalked up several wins at festivals throughout the UK, but this latest
success was the first at a brewing industry event. Described as ‘light coloured as lager
but without the bubbles’ Blond Witch is now listed with S&NUK’s
Cellarman’s Reserve, making it available much further-a-field than
Moorhouse’s trading heartland in the north. David Grant, Moorhouse’s managing director said: “We are especially delighted with this success because it is recognition from our peers within the northern brewing industry that Blond Witch is an outstanding beer in a region well-known for some amazingly good cask-ales. “Discerning drinkers have known this since we first launched it as a summer seasonal. Due to customer demand we quickly converted it to join our other four championship ales. Since then it has seen rapid sales growth, proof that the cask ale market is still very much alive and kicking for brewers who are innovative and committed to quality.” Blond Witch will now be judged at SIBA’s National Conference in the spring. Burnley based Moorhouse’s has enjoyed both national and international acclaim for its other core brands: Black Cat was voted Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2000 by Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) while Pride of Pendle won a gold medal and then the Champion Cask Ale Trophy and at the Brewing Industry International Awards (BIIA) 2004 and Premier Bitter claimed a gold in its class. Pendle Witches Brew (5.1%abv), the celebrated premium strength ale, has also seen success with both Camra and the BIIA. BACK TO TOP
Moorhouse’s managing director David Grant said: “We are brewing more Santa’s Piste this year so we wouldn’t disappoint our customers following the terrific reception that the first release received a year ago. “It is a full and fruity true grist brew that matches the festive mood well with both its taste and humorous branding. Discerning drinkers love it and, importantly, it creates a real point of difference for licensees who want to capture both the dedicated cask ale drinker and those revellers willing to try something new at this time of year. So that makes a Merry Xmas for everyone.” The award winning brewer also anticipates significant sales growth for its five core brands* over the Christmas and New Year following several new business wins during the past 12 months, including a deal to supply Premier Bitter to leading North West pub company Mitchell’s of Lancaster and a significant agreement with ScotCo for newcomer Blond Witch. David
Grant added: “We continue to enjoy
year-on-year growth as our beers delight both licensees and consumers
and we invest to ensure they are satisfied with both our beer and our
service. We expect this Christmas will be our best ever.” Howzat? Lancashire brewer clean bowls the Tykes While Yorkshire slumbered in front of the cricket,
beer raiders from t’other side o’t Pennines carried out some
devilish summer witchcraft.
Mayor of Pendle visits Pride of Pendle Pendle’s
mayor Councillor George Adam popped into Burnley’s Moorhouse’s
brewery recently to see where the borough’s famous namesake ale
is brewed.
As our beer sales grow year-on-year, spreading ever further a-field, the name of Pendle is put in front of more and more people as they enjoy our terrific cask ale. And if our expansion plans are given the go-ahead by Burnley Borough Council we will create a brewing centre-of-excellence. It will include a visitor centre, drawing people to both the town and the splendid Pendle countryside where our beers can be sampled in some great pubs.
TOP
HONOUR FOR MOORHOUSE’S MOORHOUSE’S BROOMSTICK BEERS SWEEP INTO STATES A little bit of Lancashire magic is being enjoyed Stateside over the Halloween season. Internationally acclaimed Moorhouse’s has seen export sales of its bottled beers – Black Cat and Pendle Witches Brew – grow in the US as the Burnley brewer becomes increasingly recognised as THE Halloween brewery. Managing director David Grant and sales manager Mike Hiscock recently further boosted sales with an exports initiative in both Baltimore and Florida, where they presented the ‘Moorhouse’s Showcase’ to US wholesalers, brewers, discerning drinkers and the media. A five day promotional tour included a visit to the famous Max’s Bar at Fell’s Point, Baltimore and resulted in a boost to sales of the two beers inspired by the legend of the notorious witches that practised their black arts around Pendle Hill, near Burnley, in the 1600s. The export drive comes as Moorhouse’s plans a major investment next year to expand the brewery and increase production capacity for both its five strong portfolio of cask ale and the pa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Burnley brewer’s Premier Bitter
(3.7%abv) took gold in its class for standard bitters at the SIBA
(Society of Independent Brewers) North Annual Conference Awards,
where 100 beers battled it out across seven ale categories at the
Scarisbrick Hotel, Southport. 
WITH
SANTA’S
PISTE
A
4.5% abv beer brewed with fuggles hops, Blond Witch cask was first
introduced to meet the growing demand for pale bitters. It now joins
the Moorhouse’s
award winning bottled beer portfolio - the celebrated Pendle Witches
Brew and famous Black Cat that are available through selected
supermarkets and drinks retailers. 
Cask
ale champion Moorhouse’s has rolled out its yuletide brew,
Santa’s Piste (4.5% abv) ‘a full and fruity ale to match
the festivities’. And to meet demand this year Lancashire’s
internationally acclaimed brewer has stepped up production.
