Both sites really are superb in many ways. It is going to be a very difficult decision to make, so it really depends on how our discussions go in the next few days. There have been times that I have thought we would never reach this point. But to now have a choice of great sites is more than we could have ever expected. Now it really is getting exciting...
I seem to have spent most of the last year wandering around farms, industrial units and other sites. I've hopped through hop fields and studied stud farms and had some very attractive discussions at one of Kent's leading attractions. But every site has always let us down in one way or another. That's what makes our latest visits at the weekend even more remarkable. Not only did we find a site that seems to check all of the boxes for the very first time, but then we went and found another one. Two near perfect sites in one day - it almost made the defeat against Germany seem bearable!
Both sites really are superb in many ways. It is going to be a very difficult decision to make, so it really depends on how our discussions go in the next few days. There have been times that I have thought we would never reach this point. But to now have a choice of great sites is more than we could have ever expected. Now it really is getting exciting...
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What a difference a week makes - it now looks like we may need to reject both of those sites, including our much loved provider of beer-faced bribery! Both sites had so much going for them, but the deeper you dig the more you uncover. One of them still might work, but it will need a lot of thought. It is so good in many ways, that it would be very sad to say goodbye - or at least au revoir. At the same time, we have three new sites that are looking good and we are making further visits this week.
There are so many aspects to consider in a site, including overall size, height, water supply and waste facilities, electrics, condition of building, location, security, accessibility - especially for delivery vehicles, options for outside cask-washing facilities etc, etc. Then we need to be sure that the site will get through all of the planning application and environmental health requirements - but we are nowhere near that yet. Until that time we just need to find the magic site that says it all - and if they plie us with great beer in the process then so be it, we can take it! Our tour of the beautiful Kent countryside on Saturday resulted in two clear winners - but which site shall we choose to build the brewery? There are still a few things to discuss with both of them before we can make that final decision, but we are almost there. Both sites have some amazing positives, so it is going to be a close run thing. I expect it will take another month before we finally put the pin in the map, but whichever way we go the site will be superb. One of the owners even cracked open a bottle of Sierra Nevada Torpedo Double IPA. Now that comes pretty close to bribery in my book - but we are irrefutably incorruptible, even in the face of such impeccable taste...
This week we finally did it - we became a company. Yes it seems a long time ago that we started on this journey - mainly because it was - but this week we registered the company, opened the bank account, started this website and bought a tie. There can't be much left to do. Oh yes, we have to build a brewery.
Well, the brewery plant is on order, but that will still take some time to arrive. In the meantime we thought it might be a good idea to find a place to house it. Saturday is our big day - the day we visit our shortlist of sites. I'm incredibly excited about it. They all have some good points, but I must admit to one big favourite. If that one comes off then I might even agree to wear that tie again. |
AuthorAs a Director of Kent Brewery, my only goal is to see people enjoying our amazing beers. But first we have to get the brewery built. Follow our journey as we make the dream a reality. Archives
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