ABERDEENSHIRE’S Deeside Brewery has hired the two of the founders of Loch Ness Brewery as it seeks to capitalise on growing demand for its craft beers at home and abroad.
Steve Crossland, who owns the Benleva Hotel in Drumnadrochit with his brother Allan, has joined Deeside as managing director, with George Wotherspoon arriving as development director.
Deeside hailed the wealth of brewing and hospitality sector experience the duo bring to the company and underlined its hope that it can help continue to drive sales of its products.
The brewer, owned by Michael Bain, has reported increasing sales this year amid a strong performance in convenience stores in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow and the extension to its listing with J Sainsbury.
Steve Crossan said: “Deeside Brewery is flourishing in the current craft beer market and we hope to bring further knowledge and passion, developing some exciting new products.
“Working with such a fantastic foundation for growth, we believe our experience in the industry and our real passion about craft beer will complement the existing team. I know that the skill of the brewer is backed up by the efficiency of our distribution network, customer support and consistent quality.”
Deeside, whose range includes a stout, an IPA (India Pale Ale), a lager ale infusion (LAF) and a Scottish ale infusion called Macbeth, is now available in 37 Sainsbury’s stores in Scotland.
And the brewer, which makes its beer with spring water sourced from the River Dee, has recently opened export markets in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Dubai, with Hong Kong and China also on its radar.
Under the management of the Crossans and Mr Wotherspoon, Loch News Brewery has built an international audience for its beers, which include DarkNess stout and LochNess 80/- in the US, Europe and Asia.
At Deeside, Mr Crossan and Mr Wotherspoon will work alongside head brewer Neil Stirton.
Mr Wotherspoon said: “The past six months have been positive for Deeside Brewery, with Steve and I appointed to build on this momentum. We aim to introduce the business to the cask ale market and expand our increasing export market. Above all else, we will be working alongside Neil, our head brewer, to develop the current beer range to suit every palette. We’ve got big plans for the future, and I am positive they will boost the Brewery’s success further.”
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