Peaky Blinder Irish whiskey move behind Sadler's Black Country brewery closure plan
Production of Irish whiskey is to shift to southern Ireland with the closure of a Lye brewery.
The Express & Star revealed yesterday that Sadler's Brewery where Peaky Blinder brand ales are made is set to shut.
Sadler's has its own brand Peaky Blinder Irish whiskey made for it in Ireland.
Halewood Wines and Spirits, which owns a controlling interest in Sadler's, said in a statement: "Due to the very successful growth of Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish whiskey, we plan to accelerate a project to distil our own Irish whiskey.
"As a result, we are considering a proposal to move production equipment currently sited at the Sadler’s brewery at Lye in the West Midlands, to a facility in the Republic of Ireland, where we would distil whiskey.
"Whilst a final decision has not been made, if this proposal were to go ahead, we would cease operations and close the leased Sadler’s site in Lye.
"Affected staff have been informed, and we are currently conducting a consultation process.
"The two Sadler’s bars – the Taproom at Quinton and Brewer’s social in Harborne are not affected and will continue trading."
Liverpool-based Halewood plans to move Sadler’s beer production with current beer brands, including Peaky Blinder IPA, to be brewed at Hawkshead Brewery in Cumbria which is also part of its group.
The closure of Sadler's, which would be from January 20, would mean redundancy for around 25 staff at the site in Conyers Trading Estate, Station Drive.
The Windsor Castle pub in Lye, where Sadler's Brewery was originally based, is not affected.
TV news presenter Eamonn Holmes opened Sadler's Brewhouse and Bar opposite Lye Railway Station in 2015.
It was followed by the opening of a Taproom in Quinton in 2018 and the Brewer's Social in Harborne in September this year.
