Walsall-based micro brewery looking forward to brighter future after Covid
Like many other businesses, Walsall micro brewery AJ Ales feared the worst when coronavirus struck last year.
The company, run by husband and wife team Andy and Charlotte Dukes, had been going from strength to strength since it was launched in 2014.
But they found trade suddenly halted as pubs, which they sent the vast majority of their beer to, were forced to shut during the lockdown.
Happily, they adapted and developed a home delivery service, much to the delight of customers, and are now looking forward to a brighter future outside of the Covid restrictions.
As well as the delivery service, they used Government Covid grants to apply for new licensing to establish a brewery shop and to operate as a micro pub.
Mr Dukes, who marks 20 years in the trade this year having started out working at Walsall’s iconic former Highgate Brewery, said: “We have had to adapt to Covid and change our way of trading.
“When the pandemic first hit us, all our trade was to pubs so we didn’t think we would survive.
“I’ve worked hard to keep my business going and worked straight through the pandemic on my own as I don’t employ anyone so I haven’t had to isolate or social distance whilst working.
“All beer delivery has been dropped on the doorstep with payment made the night before by bank transfer.”
Plans
Fifty per cent of their brewing from the last 12 months has been sent to Holden’s Bottling plant to be put in packs of eight 500ml bottles while the other half is packaged into mini kegs and a ‘bag in a box’.
Prior to lockdown, AJ Ales’ tap room at their Long Acre Street base was temporarily being opened on the last Saturday of each month.
When restrictions were lifted in July last year, they initially looked to open up again with social distancing and table service measures in place.
But that plan was shelved due to the small size of the tap room and concerns people wouldn’t stick to the rules.
Mr Dukes said: “I’m looking forward to the next few months as I think we will come out of these lockdowns as a better business and when the pubs finally start ordering again.
“I will continue with the home delivery service and shop, plus all my loyal customers can’t wait to see the tap room open again.
“We plan to open back up in June, starting off with the last Saturday of the month and then gradually it will be every fortnight or a weekly thing.”
He revealed there will also be a treat for England football fans ahead of the European Championships – a new 5 per cent hoppy pale ale ‘Let’s Get Kand’D’, named after the captain, which will come out in the summer for the competition.
