By Michael Morris

Copyright jerseyeveningpost

JERSEY’S biggest brewery is set to close with operations moved to the UK.

The cost of brewing beer, operating the brewery and rising business expenses have been blamed for Liberation Brewing Co production being relocated from Tregear House in St Saviour to Somerset this month.

The firm has said that it is a “difficult decision” but one which ensures “we can continue to run a viable brewing business”. The Jersey warehouse, distribution arm and head office are expected to be unaffected, as is the estate of pubs.

Liberation can trace its roots in the Island back to 1871, when J S Palmer established the Ann Street Brewery with the aim of producing premium ales.

Liberation Group was formed in 2008 after a management buyout of the pub and hospitality business run by Sandpiper.

In 2015, it acquired the UK’s Butcombe Brewery – taking its scale to more than 750 staff and 94 pubs, bars and restaurants in the Channel Islands and the UK at the time.

Pat Dean, head brewer at Liberation Brewing Co, will move to Somerset and continue to oversee the production of Liberation Ales.

Mike Jordan, head brewer for Butcombe Brewery, said: “I’m really excited about the move to Somerset and the opportunity to help preserve the legacy of Liberation Brewery. This move allows us to continue brewing some of the best ales in the world and to further develop our small batch cask programme.”