In 2011, we opened Ludlow Brewery’s tap room and visitor centre at our new premises off Station Drive, a sensitively restored Victorian railway shed now home to a 20-barrel brewing plant. During the last decade, the brewery business has developed steadily — brewing five times a week to keep up with the demand from our dozens of stockists, pubs, restaurants and shops.
We’ve both been proud to be brewing a good honest pint for those who enjoy real ale, while creating a community hub for locals and tourists — a tap room for drinks and bar snacks, visitor centre and working brewery tours. The brewery has hosted regular events by Ludlow Fringe, gigs and private events; a lot of people have celebrated their wedding, special birthday, baby’s christening with a party at the brewery!
Gary firmly at the wheel of Ludlow Brewery
Of course, brewery life as we knew it mostly came to a standstill in March. Since then, we have been busily adapting to a new business model. If our customers couldn’t come to us, then we would go to them! So we launched a free delivery service to homes within a 30-mile radius of Ludlow. Fortunately, we were also able to stay open for collections.
Those of our staff who are able to work from home are, and we have a small team still brewing twice a week and looking after customers at the door. We are very conscious of our customers who are shielding, and we have been keeping in touch with as many as possible through our popular social media channels. We have gone from producing on average 25,000 pints a week down to around 5,000, and we are so appreciative of everyone’s support, which has enabled us to carry on brewing at all!
The feedback to our new delivery service has been phenomenal. It’s gratifying to put a smile on people’s faces by dropping beer at their doorstep — and get a wave through the window! At the moment, we are only taking phone orders, although we are hoping to launch sales online soon as there is a definite growing demand for our ale to be couriered across the UK. We have had queries from Liverpool to London! The pandemic hasn’t stopped our “Derailed” brand making small-batch experimental beers, or from evolving our products. Recently, we launched our citrus pale ale Blonde in cans.
It’s a difficult environment but we plan (like everyone else) to continue to navigate our way through it the best we can.
EXCLUSIVE TO LET’S GO READERS: We are offering a free glass (with new Ludlow Brewing Company logo) with every purchase of 12 cans of Blonde (citrus pale ale; 4% ABV). Just use the code: LETSGOBLNDE20 when ordering.
Offer ends Monday, 1st June 2020. Please note, this offer applies to collections only not deliveries.
To order from Ludlow Brewing Company you email or call them on 01584 873291. Visit their website for info on beers and prices, or DM on social media:
Instagram: @LudlowBrewery
Facebook: @Ludlow.Brewery
There’s a new blonde in town