UK-based Freedom Brewery is allocating £1 million ($1.27 million) to enhance its production capacity through the installation of a canning line, aiming for a fivefold increase.
The canning line at the brewery located in Shropshire has the capacity to fill 250 cans per minute, a significant improvement from the brewery’s existing rate of 55 cans per minute. The brewer mentioned that it is capable of filling “most” formats, encompassing 330ml, 440ml, and slimline cans, in addition to multipacks.
A spokesperson said, “Craft lager is the biggest opportunity in the beer category right now, and demand from consumers is higher than ever. We are investing in the future of Freedom with this new equipment, meaning we can supply even more of our beer to consumers and trade partners.”
Established in London in 1995, Freedom Brewery, situated in the village of Abbots Bromley, later relocated to Staffordshire in 2004.
For production purposes, the brewery possesses its own borehole. In 2014, it implemented a reed bed water filtration system, effectively cleansing wastewater without the use of chemicals.
The brewery offers a variety of beers, including lager, helles, pils, and New Zealand pale ale, available for sale in both on-premise and off-premise locations within the UK. However, it does not engage in export activities.
Freedom Brewery’s beers can be found in UK retailers such as Aldi, and are also directly accessible to consumers through its website, Amazon, and Beer 52. On-premise establishments featuring Freedom Brewery include Everyman Cinema, Curzon Cinema, and the London hospitality group Cubitt House Group.
Asked about NPD and plans for 2024, the brewer said, “We have some exciting plans for 2024 – watch this space!”
Last month, Molson Coors committed a £10 million investment to bolster the production capacity of its brewery located in Yorkshire, UK. This facility, known as the Tadcaster Tower Brewery, is dedicated to producing Molson Coors’ core beer brands, including Carling, Coors, and Madri.
Meanwhile, Carlsberg has closed multiple breweries through its UK joint venture, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Co. In September, the decision was made to shut down Wychwood Brewery as part of a strategy to streamline its network and navigate the “turbulent economic outlook” in the country.
