Teenage brewer launches craft ale range for family brewery
A teenage brewer is masterminding a new line of craft ales from family-run Holden's Brewery.
George Holden, aged 19, is the son of Jonathan Holden, managing director of the Woodsetton brewery, which has been going for 109 years.
During his gap year since doing his A levels at Wrekin College, Telford, and starting a business management degree at Harper Adams University at Edgmond this September, George has been put in charge of developing the new Holden's Craft range.
The first to be launched is Sun Burst – a 4.5 per cent American pale ale – which has just gone on limited sale in cask in Holden's pubs and in cans.
George, who has worked on it for six months, describes it as "light and refreshing" and "perfect for the summer". He says it is a little different from the normal range of Holden's beers.
The introduction of a canning line at the sister business Edwin Holden's Bottling Company led to the idea of producing Holden's first craft beers.
"I was sat in the pub with dad and we were talking about what could be done with the canning line and I suggested trying a craft beer range. It took off from there," explained George.
The first brew of Sun Burst, which uses American hops, at the Hopden Brewery on May 23 has seen 5,000 330ml cans and 28 casks produced.
It went on sale in pubs on June 12 with cans also supplied to some off-licences and to Seats restaurant in Tettenhall where the family lives.
The cans are also on sale – at £1.80 each – in the brewery shop off Sedgley Road and packs of six of 12 from the online shop at holdensshop.co.uk
The shop opens 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4pm on Fridays and 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays. Brewery tours are also run on the first Saturday of each month.
"Sales have been going very well so far – the cask version in our pubs is doing really well," said Shrewsbury-born George, who has always wanted to go into the family business with his father.
He will continue to develop Holden's Craft alongside his studies and already has two more beers in the pipeline. An English IPA is planned for the autumn with a name yet to be finalised.
George uses a portable 40-pint brewery to work on developing the beers before they go into full production. He did five different test brews until he was happy with Sun Burst.
As well as developing the beers he is also involved in the graphic design for the cans and pump clips.
Before starting at Harper Adams he will also be doing work experience at Attic Brewery in Stirchley, Birmingham and after completing his three-year degree plans to do a Masters in brewing and distilling at Nottingham University part time over two years.
"I really think Holden's Craft has the potential to grow. The feedback has been really good," he said.
"Getting it off the ground has been a massive learning curve but I've enjoyed the experience."
Holden's also has its usual summer 4.2 per cent beer Summer Buzz going on sale in its pubs across the Black Country, Staffordshire and Shropshire on July 8.