Congleton-based brewery, Beartown Brewery, have produced their very first beer since January at their newly-renovated brewery. 

The Spindle Street craft beer experts have big plans for 2022, including the launch of a new tipple called 'Inception'.

After stopping the brewing process in January of this year due to renovations to evolve the site of the brewery, Beartown have begun brewing again.

Managing Director of Beartown Brewery, Joseph Manning, had the first sip of the first beer on Wednesday May 25. 

Upstairs, their Spindle Street Brewery will also have a taproom for guests to drink right where their beer is made. It will open this summer. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

"We now have eight new working brewing tanks, four of which are twice the capacity of the previous tanks", said Joseph Manning, managing director of Beartown Brewery. 

"This now means we can produce three times more than before.

"It was something we already planned to do pre-COVID, but we persisted and as things have stabilised coming out of COVID with have continued with the plan."

Joseph was joined by Benedict Goodale, the official ale taster for Congleton, who also enjoyed the first sample of beer, after being officially appointed the title for the 750th anniversary of Congleton in April. 

Benedict is euphoric at the sight of the first pour. (Image - Down at the Social)

The beer, which is being brewed with brand new state of the art equipment, was enjoyed as the first of many celebrations to honour the new brewery, which is due for completion in June. 

"Benedict was the perfect choice to take the first sip at the Brewery, after being given the official title of the Congleton Ale Taster this year," added Joseph.

"We are looking forward to sharing with everyone the progress that we have made on our newly renovated brewery.

"Especially with it being four months since we brewed our last beer, a huge amount of progress has been made in that time. 

Joseph - also known as Joe - runs the Spindle Street site with his brother Mike (left). (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

"The production of the first beer is the first step in revealing the new look of the brewery, which has brand new state of the art equipment.

"Although there's still a few final renovations to be made, we are very close to proudly showing off the new brewery. 

"Along with the renovations, we have some firm plans in place to enable our vision of expansion in 2022 and beyond, which includes a rebrand and new products to be revealed. We look forward to revealing it all over the coming weeks." 

From new products, rebranding and a brand new taproom in the brewery set to open in mid-June, the Congleton company claims it is the 'biggest and most ambitious evolution of the Beartown Brewery brand since it first started in 1994'.

Head Brewer Robin (second from right) joins Mike, Benedict and Joseph for the first cheers. (Image - Down at the Social)

Beyond the ongoing expansion, Beartown also hope to push their brand with more physical premises across Cheshire East in the future.

Speaking after tasting the not-yet-on-the-market beer 'Inception', Congleton Ale Taster Benedict Goodale (real name Paul Boswell) had this to say.

"I'd like to thank Joe and Mike Manning for inviting me down for a very interesting day at the Brewery," said the Congleton resident.

"It is great to see a Congleton company expanding in a very difficult market and looking forward to the future.

Congleton's official Ale Taster knows his stuff. He spent three decades working in the pub industry. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

"It is also great to see the spirit of the Congleton charter from 750 years ago, which introduced the new market to Congleton, still lives on today, as another Congleton institution is expanding into new markets."

The family owned brewery has spent decades providing the pinnacle of craft brewing through bottles, cans and kegs. 

With a passion for brewing quality beer, Beartown blends traditional craft with a modern style, their products from traditional bitter and mild to craft keg and lager.

Key products in the range include the best-selling and dessert inspired Creme Bearlee, the flagship pale ale, Kodiak, which is seen constantly flowing in the Beartown tap house and the super pale ale, 'LIT', aka Bearly Literate.

The spruced-up brewery is located at Bromley House, Spindle St, Congleton CW12 1QN. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Congleton Nub News)

The business cheekily claims the Beartown Brewery story began in 1632, when Congleton, a town in Cheshire, sold its bible to buy a bear. From that day forward Congleton was given our animalistic name.

They are committed to remaining a sustainable brewery and as they expand the site.

Congleton: You can find more about them and order beer here.

Their drinks can also be found all over Congleton, and in their flagship Willow Street watering hole The Beartown Tap.

Beartown's manifesto is on the walls of the brewery.

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See Also: Meet Congleton's new ale taster for our town's special year

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