Sponsored by
Tempest brewing up a storm in Kelso
AWARD-WINNING Gavin Meiklejohn in Kelso is moving into brewing.
The Cobbles Inn chef hopes to produce his first brew in aid of charity this week.
The young entrepreneur has set up The Tempest Brewing Company with a tailormade 1,600 litre brewing plant in an old building in the town.
And he will release his first beer nationwide hoping to raise 10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Mr Meiklejohn told us: “I like making things, I’m a chef and brewing beer is essentially like cooking but with a bit more science – and it takes a bit longer for your brews to materialise!”
And he said: “Customers were coming in asking for a local beer and we were unable to provide them with one.
“We have developed a brand which is fresh and contemporary, the aim being to generate interest and sales locally and in larger population centres.
“There’s a real growth market globally for this type of product. The days of industrially brewed fizzy bland beer by profit-driven corporations are thankfully now in decline and consumers are looking for more interesting brands, with flavourful ingredients and a pride of craftsmanship in their products.’’
The project has been five years in the pipeline after the businessman looked at craft brewing at Loch Lomond and in New Zealand.
The 33-year-old first became interested in the process when in Canada, but it was later in New Zealand that he built a 50-litre plant in his garage in Christchurch and started producing beer.
“I was working as a chef and brewing one day a week for the local market,” he said.
He studied brewing at university before returning to Scotland with his wife Annika where the pair have been winning awards for their food at the Cobbles Inn over the last three years. But he had mothballed his plans for a small brewery because he could not find a suitable site.
“When I realised there was a perfect disused building in the town I jumped at the opportunity to redevelop the derelict property and create an exciting business that hopefully will bring new employment opportunities as well as visitors to the town,” he said.
He now hopes to set up a beer, food and music festival in the town next summer.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Galashiels
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
