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Gloucestershire Business News

Small brewery optimistic for new bar in Cirencester

A new bar is opening in Cirencester next week, operated by a small brewery which started life in the back of a pub.

The Hop Kettle in The Woolmarket is the third bar from Swindon-based Hop Kettle Brewery Company.

Tom Gee, founder and owner, said: "It was always my plan to open up a place in Cirencester.

"Even though The Woolmarket is slightly out of the main area, the benefits of having outside seating is worth its weight in gold."

The bar is teaming up with independent caterers Streat Kitchen who specialise in food from around the world, served in boxes and on trays.

The business was launched during the lockdowns as a pop-up street food outlet at The Gateway Café and Bar at the Cotswold Water Park.

The Hop Kettle in Cirencester will open to the public on Friday 19th November. It will be managed by Andrew Fisher who oversees operations for the company's other premises. If successful, other outlets may follow.

Tom Gee owned the Red Lion in Cricklade for ten years from 2009. He set up the brewery in the back of the pub in 2012.

Two years ago, he sold the pub to St Austell Brewery to concentrate on the brewing side of the business. In a unique arrangement, the new owners wanted to keep them on producing their special brews in the back of the pub.

The company has its main brewery on the Hawksworth industrial estate in Swindon, launched in 2015. They operate two other bars - The Optimist and The Tap & Brew, both in Swindon Old Town, opened in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

The Tap & Brew also has a small 'experimental' brewery and produces 'really unique' small batches of beer, some of which will be available at the new bar in Cirencester.

Tom said he was 'apprehensive but positive' about the new venture.

He said: "You have got to be thinking that you will succeed otherwise you would never do it in the first place, but not to the level of arrogance.

"It's not going to be easy but I'm confident in our product and we have set as sure a foundation as we could hope for, and we've got a good team."

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