This web site updated 9th March 2010
HIGHGATE NEWS
February 2010
We have planning permission granted for the new sign at the front.
We have planning permission granted for the re – roofing of the racking room.
The re roofing work is completed and we hope to start refitting the room with a more up to date and efficient cask and kegging plant soon.
The listed posts that held up the old rotten roof have been retained and current thinking is to leave them there and use them to support a mezzanine floor above for storage.
We do have the sampling/visitors bar down for a refurb it’s a question of when in the order of priorities – but it is high on my list.
Lager production through the new conicals is already at capacity and the new look lager range is a real success.
We are to commence production of the 3 lagers in bottle before end of Feb and will have to consider how we can facilitate meeting demand.
Highgate Mild sales during 2009 were up again on 2008 – terrific news – and Davenports cask sales have grown significantly primarily through the Punch managed house estate, Chef and Brewer chain in particular. Call in and try.
New local stockists of mild include The Pretty Bricks and The Fullbrook following completion of the refurb.
The Fullbrook has had two excellent reviews in the newspapers and it would be nice to see the real ale trail to include both pubs.
We have added The Sportsmans Metchley Lane Harborne to the fold and the cask beers there have been very well received. We have submitted plans for The Sportsmans to add on a small restaurant facility and at the same time we will redecorate.
The next pub we hope to open soon, after completion of the major refurbishment underway, will be The Pheasant, at Woodend, Wednesfield.
More pubs are under negotiation and we hope to have concluded deals on three more before the end of February, watch this space.
The big push to get our beers listed with the M&B managed house pub chain is receiving the support of local Ember Inns licensees and their immediate management who are campaigning on our behalf.
Perhaps FOHB should invite the M&B marketing management to one of their meetings at The Brewery and let them see the strength of feeling (via a good turnout).
The Highgate and Davenports beers are continuing to gain favour across the globe with exports now including Australia Russia Finland Italy Thailand Sweden Ukraine and Denmark. Soon you will be able to enjoy your favourite pint on your hols wherever you are.
Bob Norton
Bottling Line.
We look forward to welcoming Friends of Highgate to the opening of our new bottling facility, indeed the equipment is sitting in the yard ready to go! Unfortunately Walsall Council have had a substantial number of noise complaints even before we have struck a blow in anger. This has resulted in us having to carry out an environmental impact survey at a cost of £1,000 despite the fact that we haven’t yet made a sound. The decision as to whether we can install our equipment will be made on the 16th September – fingers crossed!
The bottling line will be good for Highgate both in improving the quality of it’s bottled beer (products will be sterile filtered rather than pasteurised) and generating income from contract work. At least three local breweries have expressed an interest in getting beer bottled at our site. Let us hope that Walsall Council see it that way.
Pub News.
The New Fullbrook has been leased from Admiral Taverns with an option to buy within
two years, which will be exercised. The pub will be re-
The Talk of The Town in Darlaston has also been acquired and this pub will also be refurbished, following which it will be renamed “The Why Not”, it’s name in a former life.
Talking of refurbishments, next time you visit the brewery you will notice that it is receiving a facelift. I am not yet sure about the black sills and magnolia window frames as it does give the building a slightly satanic look, but at least it is protected from the elements and looks smarter.