Innis & Gunn announces plans to return to the capital with new brewery
CRAFT brewer Innis & Gunn is set to “come home” to Edinburgh as the firm unveiled plans to build what’s said to be the first “large scale” brewery in the capital for over 150 years.
The move, which is subject to planning permission, will see production of Innis & Gunn’s core range return to the city where the firm first brewed in 2003.
The new brewery, which is to have a capacity of 400,000 hectolitres, will also include high speed canning, bottling and kegging facilities, streamlining outsourced brewing and packaging sites to one site and creating up to 30 new jobs in Edinburgh in the process.
The news comes as the brewer targets a record turnover of £40m by 2021 after sales of its Craft Lager doubled over the last two years, helping contribute to the firm’s 14th successive year of double-digit volume growth.
Dougal Sharp, founder and master brewer at Innis & Gunn, said: “Drinkers around the world are increasingly turning to the amazing quality and flavour of craft beer and Innis & Gunn is driving this trend.
“Building a new brewery will cement our Edinburgh heritage as well as creating a focal point for our beers in the capital.
“It provides the brewing, packaging and warehousing capacity that we need as we continue to strive to meet the surging demand for our lager, which is on track to be the number one craft lager in the UK, IPAs and barrel-aged beers at home and around the world.
“For me putting the brewery in Edinburgh, where we first brewed Innis & Gunn, feels like we have come home as a business.
“There will be a taproom and visitor facilities for people who would like to come for a tour and beer, and we are planning a line-up of events like beer and food festivals.
“Our new brewery will be the beating heart of our vibrant craft beer business and I can’t wait to open the doors and show our fans around.”
