Bath Ales has leapt into a league table of the UK’s 50 fastest-growing food and drink firms at number 14 on the back of a 34% growth in compound annual sales over two years.
The Fast 50, produced by analysts for The Grocer magazine, ranks independently-owned food and drink suppliers by their growth.
Bath Ales, best known for its Gem bitter and increasingly for its Graze chain of restaurants, was the second-highest entry from the South West on the list after Bristol-based herbal tea group Pukka.
Managing director Robin Couling said: “Being in the Fast 50 is great recognition of the progress Bath Ales is m
aking and the appeal of our beers in both the take-home and on-trade markets.”
Bath Ales sells take-home beers nationally through Sainsburys, Waitrose and Ocado and regionally through Tesco and Morrisons.
The firm, based between Bath and Bristol at Warmley, has also increased distribution of its seasonal craft beer Festivity after demand soared.
The 5.0% abv beer, which is available in cask and bottle, is described as ‘a delicious porter and perfect winter warmer with hints of rum mingling with coffee and vanilla flavours’.
Robin Couling added: “I am also delighted that we have been able to increase the distribution of Festivity. We have experienced high demand for our seasonal ale and this has been recognised by our retailers.”
So far this year Bath Ales has won two prestigious awards; Best Ale up to 5% abv for Gem, securing it a gold medal and trophy at the International Beer Challenge, and Best Managed Pub Company Company (two-50 sites) at the prestigious Publican’s Morning Advertiser awards.
