Newell and Eggleton families claim stake in Bristol Beer Factory

The Newell and Eggleton families have invested in independent brewery, the Bristol Beer Factory.

Guy and Becky Newell with the Eggleton family, owners of the Michelin-starred Pony & Trap gastropub in Chew Magna, Bristol, will join the brewery's founders Simon Bartlett and George Ferguson and the other current directors Sam Burrows and Natasha Miller on the board.

Bristol Beer Factory, which won a BBC Food & Farming Award in 2011, has been in operation for over 14 years. It currently produces five core range beers and 10 specials.

The beers include: Nova ale; Seven ale; Milk Stout ale; Independence pale ale; Fortitude amber ale; GSB English special bitter; and Southville Hop American IPA. Its first cider is due to launch this Autumn.

Bristol Beer Factory recently launched the Brewery Taproom, a brewery bar and shop on North Street. This joins the brewery's flagship pub, the Barley Mow on Barton Road; the Grain Barge Harbourside pub on Hotwell Road; and the Tobacco Factory on Raleigh Road.

The investors aim to help develop the brewery, focusing on quality, innovation, production expansion and distribution.

Bartlett said: "We have reached a crucial stage in our development of needing investment to reach our full potential and chose to reach out to potential investors with the right experience to help the business grow without losing our focus on quality, service and innovation. Both George Ferguson and I have had great respect for Guy and Josh for many years and to have them as part of our forward thinking creative team is better than we could have hoped for."

Josh Eggleton chef-patron of the Pony & Trap, told The Caterer: "Bristol Beer Factory was a great fit for me. We have a five-year plan to expand the factory four-fold at least. We are looking to take on another four pubs and a beer factory." The Eggleton family also owns Salt & Malt (two outlets) and Eat Drink Bristol Fashion,

Separately, Josh Eggleton also owns the Kensington Arms in Redland, Bristol. under the Brunel Pub company, which he acquired with Guy Newell in 2016.

Newell was managing director of Butcombe Brewery from 2003 until it was sold to the Liberation Group in 2015. During his time Newell ran 20 pubs including the Cottage Inn on Baltic Wharf, Bristol, and the Pig & Fiddle on Saracen street in Bath.

Eggleton's Chicken Shed closes to make way for vegetable-led restaurant Root >>

Meet the Eggleton family, owners of the Pony & Trap >>

Josh Eggleton and Guy Newell buy Bristol pub >>

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