United Kingdom: Molson Coors opens microbrewery in Burton on Trent to produce local, seasonal and limited-edition brews

Molson Coors has opened its £1 mln cask ale microbrewery at the site of the National Brewery Centre in Burton on Trent, Morning Advertiser communicated on December, 16.

The William Worthington’s Brewery, which has a brewing capacity of 22 and a half barrels (36.9 hl), will concentrate on producing well-known Worthington’s brands such as White Shield and Red Shield, as well as seasonal ales and limited edition brews such as the 8% ABV P2.

The new brewery has five times the capacity of Molson Coors’ other microbrewery site.

Production of beers that prove particularly popular at the William Worthington’s Brewery could be shifted to Molson Coors’ main brewery, said the company’s master brewer Steve Wellington.

Chief executive Mark Hunter said: “The opening of the William Worthington’s Brewery marks Molson Coors UK’s continued investment in craft ale.

“The William Worthington’s Brewery will be a hub for continuous new ale development as well as a means of maintaining the heritage of the Worthington name.

“Indeed, with renewed interest in this category by British beer drinkers, we see this as a growing market that is set to flourish in the coming years.”

Wellington added: “William Worthington’s success was unparalleled. At a time when most beers didn’t sell beyond the town they were brewed in, people would go to extraordinary lengths to get their hands on one of Worthington’s beers so it seems only natural that the new William Worthington’s Brewery stays at its home here in Burton.

“It’s fantastic that the iconic White and Red Shields now have a new and improved home – one that is set to help continue the growth of this beer category for years to come.”

The brewery will be open to the public as part of the National Brewery Centre.

17 December, 2010