Independent brewery grows sales with Finance Yorkshire investment
West Yorkshire based Amity Brew Co is expanding sales of its craft ales in the UK and abroad following investment from Finance Yorkshire.
The company was launched during the 2020 Covid lockdown and has continued to adapt to meet the challenges of the brewery sector.
Amity Brew Co operates a taproom and kitchen in Farsley, Leeds and has a brewery at Albion Mills, Greengates, Bradford. The company employs more than a dozen people.
A £150,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire enabled Amity Brew Co to move its brewing operations to Greengates last year. Now a second £150,000 investment has supported the company's refurbishment of the Farsley taproom including the launch of an all-day food offering.
The kitchen, La Grassa, is an Italian-American paninoteca and diner created by Jimbob Phillips and Brett Lee, co-founders and directors of Stuzzi Leeds. The menu features classic comfort food including large sandwiches filled with house-made meats, cheeses and rich sauces alongside sharable dishes.
Amity Brew Co was founded by brewery industry experts Rich Degnan and Russ Clarke. They are joined in the business by director Verity Clarke.
The company has recently achieved the Salsa food safety accreditation, opening opportunities to sell its beers to larger pub group brands and increase its B2B sales.
Currently, the majority of Amity Brew Co’s £100,000 monthly sales are from its taproom. It also sells to bottle shops, bars and restaurants while exporting to Europe and Japan.
Head of Communications Verity Clarke said: "Finance Yorkshire's second investment has enabled us to expand into the space at Farsley which was the brewery and double our covers to 80 and increase capacity.
"The Salsa accreditation has been a highlight this year because of the opportunities it gives us to get in front of larger pub and restaurant groups."
Earlier this year, Amity Brew Co launched a stronger strength beer to mitigate the post-Christmas quiet period. Verity said: "We are continually adapting to meet the challenges of running a small business. The senior team got behind the beer taps in Farsley to remind ourselves where we have come from in the last six years."
In addition, Amity has added an extra tank at its brewery which now has a taproom licence. Events trialled this year have proved the potential of the brewery site and led the company to investigate opening a second pub in addition to its Farsley taproom.
Verity added: "We work really hard to create a great community atmosphere at our venues."
Finance Yorkshire CEO Alex McWhirter said: "Amity Brew Co’s ambition and drive to innovate has seen the business negotiate the challenges of operating a small business in the competitive craft brewing sector.
"We are pleased to support the Amity team's expansion at its original Farsley site and are delighted to see how our first investment has enabled the brewery at Greengates to go from strength to strength."