The new home for Goddards Brewery is reaching its final stages of completion, with an opening date just within reach.
Anyone in the last year or so who has been along Newport Road between Apse Heath and Newchurch – just up from the council’s new integrated regeneration development site at Branstone Farm – would have seen the large dark building emerge.
A first look
News OnTheWight were invited to take a look around the new facility at Goddards with none other than Bob Simpson, their Managing Director.
Having run breweries for more than 30 years, he knows a thing or two about brewing and has been pivotal to the move from the former home at Barnsley Farm in Ryde.
A brewery with an attraction attached to it
Technically, Bob said, they’re a brewery with an attraction attached to it.
“We are operating quite a large production facility, but we built a lovely facility upstairs which is catering, dining and a bar, and there’s a visitor attraction and shop downstairs.”
Become a member of the Goddards family
The new facility will be run under a membership scheme for beer lovers.
Bob explained,
“I know it sounds slightly strange, but what you’ll end up doing is paying say £12.50 to come in, but when you come in, you’re given a paddle of beer with three [glasses, each with a] third of a pint. You’ll also get a chalice glass and a brochure and all these other things you get given as you come in. You’ll automatically get 10 per cent off everything in the shop.
“Although you’re paying a fee, you suddenly get it given back to you pretty much straight away.”
Members’ events to look forward to
Members get other benefits too. Bob explained there will be monthly members’ nights and quarterly events like barn dances, Oktoberfest and Beer and Buses, which those members would be invited along to.
You pay the membership once and continue to receive the ongoing benefits.
Expanding product line and staff
The size of the new facility is not the only things that’s grown at Goddards. The team alone has gone from eight or nine people to suddenly 25 to 30, with new staff starting daily prior to the main opening event (sometime in early April, date to be confirmed).
“The whole thing is a completely different size and complexity now.”
But the brewers themselves have been pretty busy over the last year too. Bob explained that in the last 12 months they’ve expanded their range of beers from five products to ten, doubling their portfolio in conjunction with Boojum&Snark in Sandown.
Watch the brewing
After you’ve finished in the visitor attraction on the ground floor, take the steps up to the bar area and you’re in for a treat.
As you stand in the bar with a beer in hand, through the large glass windows you’ll be able to see down onto the brewing area. As you can see from the photos it’s filled with large vessels, all being used for different parts of the brewing process.
There’s even a viewing platform closer to the action you can step out to, and in the future, if there’s enough demand, bespoke brewery tours could take place.
Just beside the bar, there’s also a great outdoor spot to enjoy a drink as the sun goes down overlooking the beautiful Arreton landscape.
Tip ‘o the hat
Isle of Wight photographer Sienna Anderson and Teri Woods (from Woods’ Kitchen in Godshill) have both played a hand in the development of the new facility.
Sienna’s photography adorns the walls, whilst Teri has advised on the catering side.
Simpson: You’ve got to be an eternal optimist
The process to get to this point has taken around four years, with a number of setbacks along the way, so how has Bob managed to stay sane?
“You’ve got to be an eternal optimist really and you’ve got to keep driving, keep driving and you’ll get there. As it proves, we have got there.”
Goddard: Tremendously grateful to the community and local venues that have supported us
Founder Anthony Goddard said,
“We are delighted to welcome Islanders and visitors from afar to our new purpose-build brewery.
“We are proud to be part of a fantastic community of Island businesses creating delicious produce on the Island and taking it to the mainland and beyond.
“We’re tremendously grateful to the community and local venues that have supported us over the years and we hope to bring more custom to the Island with this latest venture.”
Lots more to hear
During our chat, Bob gives a bit more background to his life in brewing and connection to Xavier Baker (Director at Goddards, as well as the brains behind Isle of Wight Distillery), as well as Anthony (Goddards’ owner) and his family’s involvement in the Branstone project.
Listen to the podcast
Click the play button to listen to the conversation (11.5 minutes)
Visit the Goddards Brewery Website to find out more.
Article edit
4.15pm 28th Mar 2023 – Quote from Anthony Goddard added
