West (brewery) facts for kids
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| Industry | Beer, Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Beer |
| Owner | Petra Wetzel |
West Brewery is a company that makes beer and has a restaurant. It is located in the historic Templeton Building in Glasgow, Scotland. West Brewery makes German-style lagers and wheat beers. These drinks are sold in barrels (kegs) and bottles. They are mostly sold in the UK. All West beers are made following a very old German rule called the 1516 Reinheitsgebot, which is a purity law for beer.
About West Brewery
West Brewery first opened its doors in March 2006. It started by making beer in a small brewery in Glasgow Green. Customers could enjoy this beer in the restaurant next door, called West on the Green. The company faced some challenges but was successfully taken over again by its founder, Petra Wetzel, in 2008.
Since then, West Brewery has grown a lot. It now sells its beers in many places across the UK. You can find West beers in over 3,000 shops and restaurants. They are also sold in major supermarkets.
New Brewery and Expansion
In 2016, after being in business for ten years, West Brewery opened a brand new, bigger brewery. This new facility cost about £5 million. It is still located in the same famous Templeton Building. The new brewery can make ten times more beer than before. It can now produce 25,000 hectolitres of beer each year.
In the same year, the West on the Green restaurant also got bigger. It added a new space that can hold 250 people. This area is used for weddings and other special events.
How West Beer is Made
All beers from West Brewery are made using a very old German rule. This rule is called the 1516 Reinheitsgebot. It is a purity law that says only four ingredients can be used to make beer. These ingredients are:
- Malted barley (a type of grain)
- Hops (a plant that gives beer its flavour)
- Yeast (a tiny living thing that helps the beer ferment)
- Water
This special rule means that West beers do not contain any chemicals, preservatives, or other extra ingredients. Because of this, all West products are also suitable for people who follow a vegan diet.
Awards and Recognition
West Brewery has won many awards for its lagers and wheat beers. The restaurant on Glasgow Green has also received awards. Some of the awards include:
- SIBA Supreme Champion Craft Beer in Keg 2011 (Gold award) for their Hefeweizen beer
- SIBA Champion Speciality Beer 2011 (Gold award) for their Hefeweizen beer
- SIBA Champion Coloured and Dark Lager 2011 (Silver award) for their Munich Red beer
- SIBA Champion Coloured and Dark Lager 2011 (Bronze award) for their Dunkel beer
- AA Pub of the Year Scotland 2012-2013
- SLTN Family Outlet of the Year 2012
- Scottish Restaurant Awards – Best Family Friendly Restaurant 2011
