Q&A: Swan Brewery
In the November 2021 issue of Local Beacon, we asked founders Jimmy Swan and Gill Bullock to tell us all about Swan Brewery…
Introduce the Swan Brewery and the people behind it: Swan Brewery is named after founder and head brewer Jimmy Swan who has been a brewer for almost 30 years, honing his skills at Hall & Woodhouse in Dorset and Wye Valley Brewery in Herefordshire. He has beer in his blood – literally and figuratively! The other founding partner is Gill Bullock who brings experience in sales, marketing and finance to the business. Swan Brewery was first discussed over the dinner table (Jimmy and Gill are husband and wife) 6 years ago. Within a few months, a premises in Leominster was found, a preloved 10-barrel brewery shipped in and brewing commenced. Other members of Team Swan help with production and customer service. Most of the beer brewed at Swan Brewery is filled into metal casks to be delivered to pubs, clubs and bars and to be served at the brewery itself on first Fridays of the month at Tasting Days. Bottled beers and sharing packs (bag-in-box or polypins) are popular for people to drink at home or give as gifts.
What can we expect from the Tasting Days at the Swan Brewery? Tasting Days are our monthly first-Friday open days where we typically launch a new or seasonal special ale, served alongside 5-6 other beers. We have a pop-up local food vendor on site, music, and a range of other drinks. We run from 10am to 7pm and people can come and go as they like, with no need to book. For 5th November we are welcoming the Beefy Boys and on 3rd December Miniyaki’s Japanese Soul Food. It’s a great atmosphere with weather protected seating inside and outside of the brewery.
In the run up to Christmas, do you offer a gift range? We have a selection of 6 bottled ales which can be bought individually, in 3 or 6 pack gift boxes, cases of 12 or as a mixed case. We also feature local ciders, perries, gins, apple juice, hand carved oak gifts in our shop open each Friday 10-5.
Can I order beer online and do you deliver? We have an online order facility on our website: swanbrewery.co.uk and we deliver within a 30-mile radius of the brewery or send by courier. As well as the bottles people really enjoy our bright, fresh draught beer sharing packs. They can be 2, 4, 9, 18, or 36 pints with just a couple of days’ notice required for preparation.
What new beers do you have lined up? We are known both for our session strength regular selection of ales: Swan Blonde 3.7%, Swan Gold 4.0% and Ruffled Feathers 3.8%, plus our new and seasonal beers through the year. In the run up to Christmas we have specials such as Priory Porter 4.6%, Hero’s Ale 3.9%, Winter Swanderland 4.8% and Tundra 3.9%. You’ll find them at some of the excellent pubs in the area known for their regional or guest ales.
Any future plans for the business? We’ve been so pleased that many pubs have come back strongly after the challenges of the previous 18 months. As they have become busier, so have we and we are looking to grow our team with new recruits on both the brewing side and the customer service and sales side. There’s lots of detail on our website about these opportunities. We are already devising new recipes for new beers for 2022 too… coming quite soon to a pub near you!
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers? We take pride in the sustainable way we run our business; most of our hops are grown within a 20-mile radius of the brewery; our brewing grain is malted English barley; we brew with our own unique strain of yeast which we harvest and reuse brew after brew. Our spent hops and grain head to local gardeners and farmers. Our own suppliers for engineering, IT support and graphic design etc are local. Our beer is delivered to local pubs and village shops at the hearts of their communities. With a pint of Swan Brewery ale in your hand in your local, you’re part of this positive story.
