Asahi is closing its Meantime Brewery facility in Greenwich, a move that will see the production of Meantime – and Dark Star beer – move to Fuller’s in Chiswick, West London.
The company has proposed to bring production of all its “local beer brands” together under one brewing operation at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick.
Under the proposal, all Meantime and Dark Star products will be brewed, packaged, and distributed from the historic site in West London, alongside the existing production of the complete Fuller’s beer portfolio.
The company said: “Beer has been brewed on the original Chiswick site since the seventeenth century, and it continues to be a landmark for British Beer brewing to this day. The addition of Meantime and Dark Star to the site will be mutually beneficial to both the Chiswick site and all the brands produced there.
“As well as leveraging extensive in-house brewing expertise and capabilities, across an expansive range of beer styles, the proposed move helps support a commitment to the growth potential of Asahi’s full UK beer brand portfolio – by creating more efficient, sustainable operations, with a solid foundation for future innovation and investment.
“Continuing to drive and support the success of these brands, Meantime and Dark Star beers will continue to deliver the great standards consumers expect and will retain their own unique brand identities, separate to the Fuller’s range currently produced on-site in Chiswick.”
As part of the proposal, the intention is for Meantime to also retain a footprint in its original home of Greenwich. Plans are underway for the creation of a new standalone consumer retail experience, including a continuation of brewing, where the brand was established as a pioneer of modern craft beer.
“We are committed to treating all colleagues impacted by this proposal with compassion and respect, and, believe this is the best course of action for supporting the success of our brands and our sites – focusing and leveraging the extensive expertise and capabilities within our local UK brewing business,” they added.
Photo Credits: Asahi/Meantime/Fuller’s
