Local firms are finding success in the drinks industry by going the extra mile to give customers what they want, whether that's through original and high-quality products or doorstep delivery, as ANDREW HITCHON reports

RAISING a glass to success in the rapidly changing drinks industry are a number of companies that have found ways to ensure that their turnovers are anything but small beer.

They include one of Yorkshire’s fastest-growing businesses, which has expanded from a £150,000 turnover three years ago to a projected £10 million this year, and is the latest company to relocate to Thorp Arch Estate.

Online beer distributor Beer Hawk is taking 12,216 sq ft in Unit 16 of a new 37,276 sq ft speculative scheme at Ash Way to relocate its warehouse operation from Harrogate.

Beer Hawk was founded in 2012 by directors and beer lovers Chris France and Mark Roberts. It has grown from two to 20 staff, sources 500 of its own selection of the world’s best beers from 25 different countries, including several craft beers from microbreweries in Yorkshire, and provides next-day delivery to homes throughout the UK.

The Beer Hawk deal means that two-thirds of the 37,276 sq ft scheme at Ash Way is now pre-let, with biotechnology company Avacta Group Plc, which relocated to Thorp Arch Estate six years ago, taking 12,800 sq ft for new office and laboratory space.

Beer Hawk, which started with a conversation about the quality of beers which can easily be bought and drunk at home, takes its name from hunting out the world’s best beers and also runs a beer club.

Mr France said: “Thorp Arch Estate will be an ideal base for us because of the quality of the new premises, which is being especially reconfigured for us, including a beer-tasting bar; the capacity to expand and the estate’s proximity to the motorway network for next-day deliveries.

“The capacity to expand nearby on the estate was also attractive if we continue to grow as projected. We plan to invest millions of pounds into the company in the next few years, including creating 30 new jobs. We also plan to expand our selection of the world’s best beers to 800 and so we will need space for more pallets.”

Beer Hawk’s relocation follows the letting of a new purpose-built unit to drinks distributor, Matthew Clark Wholesale Ltd, which is relocating from Dunnington and is due to move in this summer.

Tim Munns, director of Wharfedale Property Management Ltd, which manages the estate for owner, Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust, said: “Attracting Beer Hawk is another significant coup for us and vindicates the decision to invest in further speculative units."

Expansion and relocation has also been on the bar menu for Bad Seed Brewery in Malton, which recently celebrated its third birthday.

After moving to new premises only a year ago in order to treble its capacity, it is now again faced with the headache of not being able to produce enough of its craft beers to meet the burgeoning demand.

Chris Waplington, who runs the brewery with James Broad, said: "It's a problem we've got because our product is high quality, people want to buy and enjoy it and keep coming back to it.

"As people have less money to spend they are becoming a lot more selective about what they spend that money on. It's not just looking at the cheap and cheerful, it's sometimes looking at having perhaps a lesser amount but of a higher quality."

Last time Bad Seed faced a similar dilemma it moved from its original home on Malton's York Road Industrial Estate to larger premises, still on the same estate. But Mr Waplington said the solution this time would probably not be to move but to increase their capacity, with more fermenters on the same site.

He said the reception for their beers had been 'brilliant', adding: "We're looking to make beers that excite us. We were home brewers who made beers that we thought were better than other beers out there. It's great there's a market for that.

"I think part of our success is that we live and breathe craft beer. We're basically making beers that we want to drink ourselves. It seems there are enough other people out there like us."

Meanwhile North Yorkshire's Black Sheep Brewery has paid tribute to South Asia and the heritage of India Pale Ale (IPA).

Black Sheep IPA has been brewed in homage to the IPAs that were exported to British troops stationed in India more than 200 years ago.

The launch follows on from the successful rebrands of Black Sheep’s best-selling bottled ales, Black Sheep Ale and Golden Sheep Ale, with Black Sheep IPA featuring a similar labelling set.

Jo Theakston, sales and marketing director at the brewery, said: “Black Sheep IPA is an exciting Yorkshire beer with plenty of juicy hop appeal, reminiscent of the highly hopped IPAs that were exported to India over two centuries ago."