New £1m brewery in Gosport unveils plans for historic site in Priddy's Hard

Powder Monkey Brewing Co. is building its brewery - including a tasting room - inside E Magazine, a Grade-II listed building in Priddy’s Hard.

The brewery, which will have a capacity of 2,500 litres, aims to be operational by April 2021, according to co-founder Andy Burdon.

Andy, who will oversee business operations, said: ‘We have been working really hard on the project for 14 months - we have been working a long time with the architects.

‘We are keen to keep as many original features intact as possible.’

But thirsty beer-lovers won’t have to wait more than six months for a chance to try the brewery’s recipes, as it is working from a Berkshire brewery to create a preview batch.

This preview will see more than 1,800 cases of beer be made available online and in pubs and shops from November.

Beers on offer will include the Hop and Hooker range, a tribute to one of the businesses directors and shareholders – Steve Thompson, a former hooker for England's rugby team.

Hop and Hooker will come as a 3.8 per cent pale ale with US hops, giving it a citrus aroma, and 4.3 per cent amber ale made with UK hops to create a fruit aroma.

But head brewer Mark Hamlin can’t wait to get on site and create brand new beer ranges.

The 26-year-old, who trained to be a biochemist at the University of Oxford, said: ‘I’m really excited to get started.

‘We are getting really nice kit in to brew a good range of beers.

‘The types of mash we can make will be really exciting.

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‘And the brewery scene across Portsmouth seems really supportive.’

More than £1m is being invested into the project, with Gosport businessman Mike McGeever acting as chairman.

Mike has invested more than £1.2m into Bakers Bar and Kitchen at Royal Clarence Marina.

Powder Monkey Brewing Co will also feature a tap house and kitchen nearby in another waterside building within Priddy’s Hard.

More information will be found at powdermonkeybrewing.com.

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