US speciality brewer, The Stone Brewing Company, who picked up on the potential purchase on Facebook, may rescue Walsall’s historic Highgate Brewery out of administration.
The Californian brewer is understood to be preparing a bid for the Grade-ll listed building that housed the 112-year-old brewery and the brewing equipment.
After announcing its intention to acquire a European brewery earlier this year, Stone came across the “Save the Highgate Brewery” community group on Facebook, and posted a message expressing its interest.
Steve Orford of the Friends of Highgate Brewery said he had received an email from the top US brewery.
“They are looking for a facility, not the brands. Europe is a big place so they may not choose Highgate but it’s a tentative hope”, Mr Orford added.
The Highgate Brewery
entered administration in June, with a total of 22 redundancies.
The owners of the property, Smethwick pub group Empire Star, have also received several other expressions of interest.
“The Sandymount site is a major historical part of Walsall and Empire Star’s main wish is to see brewing continue on the site”, said Ian Robinson, commenting on behalf of Empire Star.
Robinson also asserted that the brewing rights for Highgate and Davenports had not been sold, and that buyer is still being sought for the business.
