Wales Farmer June 2013 NEWS 13


Livestock lappingup couple’s successstory


IT IS not just aficionados of real ale that are enjoy- ing the output from a north Wales microbrew-


ery, but livestock too. The mash from Cwrw Cader


Brewery,which sits at the foot of the mighty Cader Idris Mountain, feeds chickens and cattle on alocal farm. And there is greatdemand forthe spent hops from local gardeners,who use it as anutrient-boosting compost. Cwrw Cader Brewery at Dolgellau wascreated by solici- tors Stephen and Jane Warner, whoproduce 360 pints at every weekend brewing while continu- ing with their legal careers dur- ing the week. Sales have been so good that


the couple areembarking on a £40,000 expansion to increase production fivefold. Their range of beers has


proved so popular thatStephen has nowretired from his legal practice in Nottingham to become afull-time brewerwhile Jane has cut the number of days she worksasasolicitor at acan- cer charity. Production will increase from


five casks per brewing dayto24 and the Warners arealready exploring opportunities to incorporatetheir beers into locally-made sausages and pies. The expansion is an exciting


leapforwardfor the couple, whose shared passion forreal ale wasatthe heart of this busi- ness venture. Stephen and Jane both had demanding careers in law, butas


By Debbie James


their children grew up and left home they decided the time had come to nurturetheir ambition to establish amicrobrewery. “Wedecided to give it ago


while we still had enough couragetodoso,”explained Stephen, whohas formany years been amember of the Campaign forReal Ale (CAMRA) and aregular visitor to the Nottingham Beer Festival. They researched the market


and embarkedontraining courses to master the chemistry of brewing. Thanks to funding from Cywain –aproject estab- lished by Menter aBusnes to help primary producers in Wales addvalue to primary produce – they were assisted by abrewing consultant whohelped them develop their recipes.Cywain also assisted with marketing advice and website design. “It has been an upward learn-


ing curve, butsome of the skills of running our ownbusiness were transferable from our pre- vious business,” said Stephen. “It is amatter of checking


anddoublechecking, if each brew tastes slightlydifferent that is aproblem because your con- sistency is important.” They have been grateful of


the support of Cywain develop- ment manager,Catrin Jones. “She has been giving us the


benefit of her opinions and has been practical and cheerful throughout,”said Jane. The first brew wasgivenaway to five local pubs,accompanied


GROWING: Stephen and Jane Warner are increasing production from five casks per brewing day to 24.


by feedback forms. Encouraged by the response,the Warners developed the recipes to create twotrademarkbeers –Cader


Gold and Idris Bitter.They have since launched athirdbeer – RedBandit –which takes its name from a16th century band


of red-haired bandits.Local bee colonies could provide another element to the range. “Weare hoping to produce a


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ORIGINAL AND BEST


AFTER PICTURE: Debbie James.


honey beer,” said Jane. “Creating beer is very much


like cooking, youcan experi- ment agreat deal with recipes.”


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