Sharp’s Brewery: record sales; expansion planned

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Sharp’s Brewery, the Cornish brewer bought by Molson Coors in February, has announced record sales and revealed plans to increase production.

In total 9,088 firkins were sold for the week ending 8 April 2011, the highest weekly sales volume since the brewery’s launch in 1994. Sales of its flagship brand Doom Bar have grown by more than 45% this year.

The company revealed that it has ordered three new fermentation vessels to increase production by a further 24,000 brewers barrels per annum. Sharp’s took delivery of two vessels in February.

Increasing demand has also resulted in Sharp’s looking to appoint five new members to its brewing team.

Head brewer Stuart Howe said: “We are delighted with the progress we are making. Sales of Doom Bar have grown by more than 45% this year, and are still rising.

“We are enormously ambitious for Sharp’s Brewery, including Doom Bar and the whole portfolio of Sharp’s beers. The investment in the brewery is essential to keep pace with the growth we are experiencing and realise our goal of being the largest brewer of cask conditioned beers in the UK.”

Molson Coors is believed to have paid around ?20m for Sharp’s in February following a period of strong growth for the Cornish brewer. Turnover at Sharp’s increased from ?11.4m in the year to 31 October 2009 to ?16.1m in the year to 31 October 2010.