Up to 80 new jobs are to be created by Boann Distillery in Drogheda at a new state-of-the-art distillery and craft beer brewery that will be using the latest technology and nano-copper stills.
In a project backed by Enterprise Ireland, the €20m facility will include a whiskey distillery, Boyne Brewhouse craft brewery and taproom, an architecturally-designed visitor centre, a 120-seater restaurant, whiskey bar, event space and shop.
The distillery plans to produce craft whiskey, gin and an innovative range of craft beers for the domestic and export market.
Craft beer production is already underway in the 50,000 sq ft building located in the Boyne Valley countryside.
“Ireland’s food and drink industry offers massive potential for regional employment, which is a major focus of the Government’s 2015 Action Plan for Jobs,” the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD said.
“Today’s announcement of 80 new jobs in Drogheda, as part of a €20m investment supported by my department through Enterprise Ireland, is a great boost for the town and the wider north-east region. Investments by Irish businesses have a massive knock-on impact on the local economy, through construction, supply and service businesses.
“Boann Distillery is a great example of the type of company we are trying to support – an Irish company, operating at the cutting edge of its sector, focused on selling its goods around the world, and creating jobs in a regional town,” Bruton said.
Nanotech creates the perfect blend for craft beer
The Boann Distillery is the brainchild of Drogheda native Pat Cooney, a drinks industry veteran who built up the Gleeson Group to be a major player in the Irish manufacturing and wholesale drinks business with €300m in turnover and a 750-person headcount.
The Boann Whiskey Distillery will create a range of Irish single malt, pot still and blended whiskies from technologically advanced nano-copper pot stills.
A small-batch premium gin will also be produced in a custom made 500 litre Bennett Still.
At the heart of the operation is a three-vessel 35HL Kasper Shulz brewhouse.
The internationally-renowned master distiller John McDougall is consultant distiller to the project and will be working closely with Áine O’ Hora, head distiller and brewer.
O’Hora, a Galway native, honed her craft for the past seven years as brewer with Matilda Bay (CUB), Australia’s most-awarded craft brewery. Her first beer for the Boyne Brewhouse, Born in a Day Australian Pale Ale, is a nod to her time in Australia.
Whiskey image via Shutterstock
