insideKENT Magazine Issue 29 - August 2014 | Page 151

BUSINESSNEWS

THE OLD DAIRY BREWERY – £0.6M INVESTMENT HERALDS SIGNIFICANT
EXPANSION BY KENT BREWER
“Overnight, we have transformed the business
from what was essentially a hobby start-up into
a fully fledged, commercially funded and operated
brewery.

The Kent-based Old Dairy Brewery has
announced a significant expansion of its business
following a £600,000 investment this spring. The
funding has enabled the company to move from
an old milking parlour in Rolvenden into a brand
new 30-barrel brewery, shop and visitor centre
in the picturesque market town of Tenterden.
The new operation, which opened to the public
on 7th July, is located just off the High Street,
next to the Kent & Sussex Steam Railway Station.
“It’s a major step forward for the Old Dairy
Brewery,” said managing director John Roberts.

“The investment has increased our brewing
capacity six fold and is enabling us to take the
business to the next level by commercialising our
sales, marketing and operations.”
The expansion comes four years after the brewery
was set up on a dairy farm in the heart of the
Kent countryside. It was an immediate success,
building a loyal fan base among ale enthusiasts
who appreciated the finely crafted recipes, locally
sourced ingredients and interesting variety of
beer styles.
“We couldn’t brew enough to keep up with
demand – so expansion into bigger premises
was the obvious solution,” added Roberts.

A new on-site Brewery Shop and Visitor Centre
will be open to the public and brewery tours will
be run twice a week. The re-launched website
will include a full online shopping experience and
ale enthusiasts can subscribe to the ‘Old Dairy
Top Club’, receiving a 10% discount on
purchases, plus an Old Dairy tankard, polo shirt
and access to brewery tours, beer tastings and
special events.
Roberts added: “We have an excellent track
record in the business and believe there is a great
opportunity to exploit the growing UK and
international consumer interest in craft beers. We
will do this by developing the Old Dairy Brewery
brand beyond its Garden of England heartland
to London, the South East and f