The expansion comes at a time when the brewery is targeting an 80% increase in turnover over the next three years.

Simon Walkden, chief financial officer at Thornbridge explained: “We are an ambitious company and have been planning for this investment over the past 12 months.

“It’s not all about equipment though as, in preparation for a 70% expansion to our brewing capacity, we have employed an additional 11 staff to take overall employee numbers to 46.”

Following extensive research into bottling line suppliers, the brewery opted for a system from German company KHS.

“The quality of our beer is, of course, paramount to us,” said Rob Lovatt, Thornbridge’s head brewer.

He added: “With almost 50% of our beer sales being in bottles it is critical that we have the best, most technically up to date bottling line to ensure a quality beer time after time.”

“My brewing team is always looking for continuous improvement in all of our processes and the new equipment will enable us to achieve extremely low levels of dissolved oxygen in the beer and so retain greater taste and freshness.”

For more on why Thornbridge opted to invest in its bottling facilities, read more from Lovatt here.