Ireland: Molson Coors invests £2 mln in new facility to expand craft beer production

Brewer Molson Coors has invested £2 mln in a new facility to expand production for the Franciscan Well craft brewery in Cork, Ireland, FoodManufacture.co.uk reported on March 20.

A former warehouse at Cork docks is being converted into the plant, which will produce lagers, ales, stouts and wheat beer, by FMA Process Engineering.

The project will increase the craft brewer’s production from seven hectolitres (HL) daily to 50HL brews and up to six brews a day, six days a week.

Franciscan Well has seen demand for its brands, including Friar Weisse, Blarney Blonde, Rebel Red and Shandon Stout, increase, meaning it had to add to capacity at its existing North Mall Cork brewpub.

FMA said its scope of works included design and installation of all mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and automation aspects of the new microbrewery.

It would also handle the sourcing, delivery and installation of all process equipment as well as the start-up and commissioning of the plant and staff training.

It added the design would be centred upon a three-vessel brewhouse system, a beer cellar with 10-off, 100HL unitanks and an automated keg washer/filler plant, which could fill 90 30-litre kegs an hour. As a result, total capacity would be 2,700 litres and hour.

FMA expects to begin the conversion project in May and finish in August. Franciscan Well is using 3D modelling equipment to position equipment within the facility and ensure the need for manual handling is minimised.

“We are incredibly pleased to be involved in this important and exciting project with Molson Coors and Franciscan Well,” said FMA project manager Sean Bennett.

20 March, 2015