County Durham Brewery Looking To Expand

21 January 2014, 16:23 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A County Durham microbrewery has served up more than 246,000 litres in the last twelve months - and is now announcing plans for expansion.

Since opening its doors in late 2012 Sonnet 43 Brew House, at Coxhoe, has produced 1500 barrels of craft beer, as well as thousands of bottles for sale in pubs and online.

Its core beers - Steam Beer, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, American Pale Ale, Blonde Beer and Bourbon Milk Stout - have already been sold in more than 200 pubs across the North East and recently expanded into Yorkshire, with regular deliveries now being made in York, Harrogate and Leeds.

Work to expand brewing capacity at the purpose-built site will begin later this year, allowing for more deliveries outside Northern England, as well as the introduction of craft kegging and a visitor's centre offering workshops and tours.

Sonnet 43's founder, North East restaurateur Mark Hird, has also invested in three brewery taps - The Lambton Worm, Chester le Street, The White Lead, Hebburn and The Clarence Villa, Coxhoe - and hopes to launch more venues serving Sonnet 43 beers, as well as a range of complimentary food and drinks, during 2014.

He said:
"It has been a landmark first year for Sonnet 43 and we?re delighted that our beers have been well received by publicans and their customers across the North East and Yorkshire.

We have big plans for 2014, including the launch of more brewery taps and the expansion of the brewery itself, which we hope will allow more people to enjoy our award-winning range."