Q&A with Neil, of Bang On Brewery
Tell us a little about yourself, how long have you been owned a Brewery, and why you have chosen this career path?
Hi, I’m Neil. Bang-On Brewery started as an idea just over 5 years ago. I had just sold a previous business and wanted to do something completely different where I didn’t have to wear a suit on a daily basis. I had a bit of a passion for craft beers and at the time there wasn’t a brewery close to where I live. After 1 life-changing decision and 10 months of hard work, the first brewery to exist in Bridgend for 89 years opened to the public and it has been a constant evolution ever since.
What is the most interesting thing about your brewery and why?
Without a doubt the people. Internally, be it me who is constantly looking to innovate, push boundaries and improve the customers’ experience; Craig, the Master Brewer / Beer Chef with his desire to create new beers and flavours; Charly the designer and printer that can interpret the customers’ requirements and present it with brilliant designs and not forgetting my amazing wife Caroline that is incredibly supportive and keeps me organised, focussed and humble. Externally, It is our customers! We have met some amazing people in recent years forging both professional and personal relationships with corporate and individual customers that will last for years to come.
Give us four things that people don’t usually know about your business?
People seem to think that we are a big business. It’s only when they visit us that they realise there is a small ragtag and bobtail bunch working really hard to make sure we deliver quality bespoke products to our customers and exceed expectations. People expect some sort of corporate HQ with everything automated and are surprised when they realise that it’s all done by hand and hard work.
In addition to the brewery, we have an in-house print shop so all of the personalised labelling is produced on-site as soon as the orders come through. All of our merchandise is also produced in-house so those people that want personalised apparel, steins, coasters, bar runners, and signs for business functions, events, parties, or even home bars and pub sheds also get their orders turned around very quickly.
Our Bohemian Pilsner recently won a Gold Medal at the European Beer Challenge which was absolutely amazing. 100 of the world's most highly trained beer sommeliers, cicerones and buyers judged the best that European-based breweries have to offer through blind tasting. To be awarded a Gold Medal by such a highly trained panel of judges is a really big deal for such a small brewery in South Wales.
We also provide personalised and bespoke Gins. While they are currently made off-site to a recipe of our choosing, we are actually in the process of looking to get a distillery built in-house.
Why do people decide to have their alcohol personalised, other than the obvious?
There are a few reasons depending on the objectives of the customer. With the individual gifting, it shows that the giver has really put a lot of thought into a gift. You really can’t get more bespoke than a case of beers or a bottle of gin with a loved ones photo and a special message on the label. Within the corporate gifting and events space; It is certainly a lot more memorable than a keyring or a mouse mat and if the truth be known, the recipient gets more pleasure from a beer or gin than they do from a pen or lanyard so this has been a real area for growth for us. The two other main reasons why people have their beer personalised is Weddings and Home Bars / Pub Sheds. We have produced beers for lots of weddings in recent years and the brides to seem to tell me a common theme which is once the soon-to-be husband knows he is getting his own wedding day beers then the brides to get their own way with everything else. I’m obviously happy to contribute to make sure the bride does get that extra special day. In terms of the customers with Home Bars and Pub Sheds; A lot of them have invested significantly into getting their places Bang-On. They have a name or theme for their own on-site venues and we help them by designing a logo for them and supplying everything they’ll need to make the place look more professional and on-brand.
What’s been your most exciting client and why?
Good question! We have done work for the likes of Sunseeker Yachts and Harley Davidson which was a great experience to work with such iconic brands. In addition, we have also produced beers for celebrity chefs as the house beers in their restaurants which was also enjoyable. The most exciting clients though are the individual customers. People get really excited about gifting something so unique and personal to friends, family, and even customers. They have a vested interest in making it extra special by adding photos to the label or adding a personalised message to the design. The thanks and positive reviews that we receive really do make all of the behind-the-scenes hard work worth it.
If you’d like to know more about Bang On Brewery, please click here to visit their website.