Anniversary celebration for Ludlow Brewing Company 10 years after transforming railway shed

Ten years ago, the abandoned Victorian railway shed first opened its doors as a taproom brewery.

Now, founders of The Ludlow Brewing Company, Gary and Alison Walters, are celebrating reaching the 10-year milestone after they restored the 19th century building to give it a new lease of life.

The 154-year-old derelict building was transformed – with a 20-barrel brewing plant capable of producing 25,000 pints a week; and a taproom with a bar, stage and mezzanine level to maximise the space given by the vaulted high ceilings.

Restoration took two years to complete with an emphasis on retaining the heritage of the site, alongside forward-thinking environmental considerations.

Both new and ancient materials were used in the renovations to preserve the original fabric of the building and install modern comforts for punters. The vision was to be a sustainable brewery using renewable technologies as much as possible, including underfloor heating fuelled by heat reclaimed from the brewing process, rainwater harvesting, solar power.

Fast-forward a decade, and visitors can find themselves drinking up history when they step inside Ludlow Brewery for a pint.

The site boasts the latest automated gleaming brewing equipment, and a taproom interspersed with quirky features and antiques; railway posters, a bicycle, a wooden cart, a hanging clock.

Recent additions to the site are a balcony near-completion at the front of the brewery, and lager brewing equipment including an aerial pipeline between the taproom brewery and cold storage facility, which had a recent solar panel installation on the roof to help achieve the company’s eco targets.

Owner Gary Walters said: “We’re proud to achieve this milestone. It has been an eventful ten years with so many highlights and happy memories.

“The brewery was going from strength to strength up until the pandemic; but the last year has been a rollercoaster.

“Under normal circumstances we would have marked the occasion in style, but with all the restrictions still in place, celebrations have been postponed until later this year.

“We plan to hold a birthday beer festival, where we will have some fantastic guest beers, and of course be raising a few toasts to The Railway Shed’s first decade.”

Since its opening in March 2011 – with the first event taking place the following month – the brewery has experienced events from weddings, christenings, charity fundraisers and even fashion shows.

The “mash tun” stage has seen many a music performer, band, comedian, storyteller, over the past decade.

And with Covid restrictions beginning to lift this month, and the brewery hoping to be back to full capacity by the summer, the calendar for the remainder of the year is quickly filling up, including four weeks of performances from Ludlow Fringe Festival from June to July.