Family-run, independent brewer and pub company, Wadworth, is serving up something new for 2024 – a new brand, brewhouse and craft beer.
The company, which has been based on Northgate Street in Devizes since 1885, has moved to a 25,000sq ft brewhouse, which is a five-minute drive away on Folly Road.
£8 million brewhouse investment
Work on the new premises started in May 2022, which cost in the region of £8million to transform the former warehouse into a state-of-the-art brewery. The Folly Road site boasts an extensive range of sustainability-focused credentials, which include an ultra-efficient steam generator capable of reducing brewery boiler-warming times from 4.5 hours to just seven minutes.
Toby Bartholomew, managing director, said: “Our 1885 Northgate brewery is a Grade II-listed building, and much of the plant, equipment and main brewery building has come to the end of its useful life.
“Over the years, the beer market has changed and Northgate brewery is too large, inefficient and inflexible for our needs moving forward. Our new Folly Road brewhouse allows us to diversify our beer offer and, in turn, support our pubs and customers more effectively. We will continue to brew Wadworth traditional ales, including 6X, Horizon and Henry’s IPA alongside our new Folly Road craft beer portfolio.”
First Folly Road craft beer
Evolution, which is a 4.3% Session IPA, is the first craft beer to come out of Folly Road. With a refreshing, punchy, crisp bitterness and bags of intense citrus flavour and aroma, the vegan-friendly beer was specifically brewed to mark the opening of the Folly Road brewhouse.
“We’ve launched Folly Road craft beer to maximise our new brewhouse and broaden our portfolio into the growing craft keg market creating a larger and more interesting range of beers for our pubs,” explains Sarah Berry, head of marketing.
The packaging for Evolution was designed by Bournemouth Arts University student, Gemma Cook, who won a design competition that was launched by Wadworth at the end of 2022. People were invited to come up with a name and logo for the new brewery, as well as for the first two Folly Road craft beers.
Sarah adds: “Our overall beer vision is to brew a distinctive, credible and relevant beer portfolio without compromising on quality, consistency or passion, from grain to glass.
“Meanwhile, our overall vision for Wadworth, is to continue to be an independent family brewer and pub company, leaving a legacy and brewing Wadworth traditional ales and Folly Road craft beers for generations to come.”
Evolution Session IPA is available in over 40 pubs across the South and West and available to buy in cans online.
