Cave Direct to open taproom, bottleshop and blendery

Cave Direct has revealed it will open the Beer Merchants Tap in January 2018, and is offering drinkers that help fund the project a range of benefits.

The 3,000 sqft site, which features a large beer garden, comprises a taproom, bottleshop and Belgian sour blendery.

20 taps will complement fridges that house 700 beers. In addition, the company will be starting a barrel-ageing and blending project that takes spontaneous beer from the UK and abroad to creating Belgian-influenced sour beers.

Colin Gilhespy, managing director at Cave Director, explained: “My dad founded Cave Direct back in 1979 and when I joined my first job was setting up our little bottleshop in south-east London. Since that closed, opening our own taproom is something we’ve always wanted to do.

“The Tap allows us to create a wonderful place for beer lovers to try the hundreds of incredible beers we bring in, as well as a centre of excellence to help our customers look after their beer and make sure their own sites excel.”

Cave Direct is driving the move with a crowdfunding campaign that aims to raise at least £50,000.

Members can pledge between £50 and £1,000, and in return will get double that on a gift card to spend in the pub as well as 5% off at BeerMerchants.com for life.

Earlier this month, Gilhespy said 2017 has been a year of significant development for Cave Direct, completing its long-held ambition to supply all parts of the UK with the company’s complete portfolio.

“I think all brewers know that however good their beer is, it can still be ruined by not being cared for during delivery, storage and serving. One of the driving factors for us opening four UK depots is for the customer and product care this allows us to offer,” explained  Gilhespy.

Cave Direct’s founder, is speaking at the Brewers Congress in London next month, is passionate about beer and in his own words, “It has been my life!”.

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