The Surrey Hills Brewery, an award-winning traditional brewery based in the heart of the Surrey Hills was bursting at the seamsat its’ current premises in Shere. The business took a decision to move, literally lock stock and barrel to a new home at Denbies Wine Estate, giving them a much greater brewing capacity. Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme was able to award an £80,000 grant towards the cost of a new brewplant. New premises and equipment will allow production of bottled beer for the first time as well as enabling visitors to see the brewing process and purchase beer directly from the brewery. Whilst continuing its tradition of being fiercely independent there is also the opportunity in the future to add a new beer to their portfolio, brewed from Denbies grown hops for a truly local, quality pint. The move is currently taking place and they are hoping to start production the first week in June with a grand opening planned for later in the summer.
The Brewery was started in 2005 and beer sales have grown steadily until it was operating at full capacity. The original premises at Shere also had poor access, inadequate power supplies, inefficiencies in water and power use and the capacity for limited product ranges. The grant of £80,000, 40% of the cost of essential new brewing equipment will put the business on a firm footing for sustainable growth. They plan to start producing bottled beer for the first time and the new site will be accessible to visitors and customers allowing expansion of direct sales to the public and brewery tours.