Close Menu
News

Adnams branches out into spirits

Adnams has broadened its horizons beyond beer and begun distilling its own small-batch spirits.

The Suffolk brewer has launched a small-scale distillery on the same site as its Sole Bay Brewery.

The new operation, housed in the old Adnams brewery Copper House, will make vodka, gin and whiskey using handmade copper distilling equipment made by Carl of Germany, a family company whose experience in manufacturing distilleries stretches back 135 years – just three years short of Adnams’ own 138-year past.

Chairman Jonathan Adnams OBE said: “We have been brewing great beers in Southwold since 1872, and our business now incorporates five hotels, 70 pubs, and 10 Adnams Cellar & Kitchen stores.

"Hand crafted spirits are the next exciting step in our journey and we are proud to add distilling to our expertise.

“Small scale distillation produces spirits of a quality and character that far surpass mass-produced products. The addition of a small distillery to breweries is not uncommon in mainland Europe, but I believe we are the first brewery in the UK to brew beer and distil spirits on the same premises.”

In keeping with Adnams commitment to the environment, the hot water by-product from the distillation process will be reused to wash casks in the main Adnams brewery while waste from the distilling process will be converted into renewable gas.

Gin and vodka are now on sale in Adnams Cellar & Kitchen stores as well as online via the Adnams website.

Ben McFarland, 26.11.2010

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No