West Berkshire Brewery hosts BBC's The Apprentice team in tonight's episode
Anyone watching TV tonight (9pm, Thursday) may spot a familiar business.
West Berkshire Brewery will play host to one of the teams in the latest episode of the BBC 1 show The Apprentice.
The teams were challenged to create and brand a new non-alcoholic drink and host a launch event where they had to pitch and sell the drink to leading retailers.
For one of the teams the Yattendon-based brewery provided the perfect venue for them to enjoy trying out some new flavours and ideas.
The second group was sent to a gin distillery.
Clare Candy, marketing manager at the brewery, said: “We were thrilled when approached by the BBC to host an episode of the popular show The Apprentice at our fantastic brewery.
“The task was to create a non-alcoholic beer which have seen a significant rise over the last few years in an increasing range of styles.
"Some interesting flavour combinations were explored by the candidates and we can’t wait to see what Lord Sugar thought of the final product in the episode tonight.”
The first episode of the new season was watched by 4.6 million people, as Lord Sugar once again looks to find a new business partner.
Yattendon Estates announced at the end of December that it had boosted its portfolio after the acquisition of the brewery.
At the time Edward Iliffe, entrepreneur and group chief executive of Yattendon Group, said: “We were excited to be more involved in the West Berkshire Brewery, who produce a great product based at the Renegade Brewery in the heart of the village of Yattendon.
“The craft brewery sector has been growing strongly, with drinkers looking for a closer to home brew and provenance.
“The brewery enhanced its offer this year with Solo, a low alcohol beer – another area that has seen growth and interest."
It had been reported in November that the much-loved local brewery was in talks with a number of “interested third parties” about a potential sale in a bid to avoid entering administration.
Yattendon Group Plc, which also bought Vicars Game in Ashampstead this year, acquired the assets of the brewery.
The brewery, which was set up in 1995 as a five-barrel brewery in a shed behind the Pot Kiln pub in Frilsham, moved to its present state-of-the-art site in 2017, occupying a former dairy already belonging to Yattendon Estates.
The brewery produces a number of award-winning beers including Good Old Boy, Mr Chubb’s, Detour Pale Ale and Renegade lager, which are all sold in local pubs and restaurants, as well as in Waitrose stores regionally.
Its beers, which are available online and in the brewery’s taproom, have won 70 awards since it was founded.
