A SMALL brewery based in Malvern is racing to the end of another year with a trio of supermarket deals, awards, a partnership with the town’s unique sports car maker Morgan and even a contract with the Royal Agricultural University.

The Friday Beer Company, which started six years ago after three expert material scientists were made redundant, has enjoyed a bumper year which has included sealing deals with Morrisons to supply five regional stores – Malvern, Droitwich, Evesham, Hereford and Tewkesbury – the Co-op for its shops in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, while Waitrose says it plans to start stocking the beers next April.

The firm was one of just 18 regional food and drink businesses invited by Morrisons to pitch its products to the firm’s buyers in July. Eventually the brewery heard Morrisons wanted to go ahead with a contract.

Friday Beer Company director Gerald Williams said: “We are launching in Morrisons in January. I shop in Morrisons in Malvern and I have detected the whole store has lifted in quality and they stock a lot of local goods now. We are thrilled to be part of that and get into these five stores.

“It is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. There is a lot of work to do. It is a whole new world and we are working hard to increase production. We are looking at strategies and looking at buying more equipment. It is all about the usual challenges.”

The firm began supplying the Co-op shops in September as part of the supermarket’s national programme to have local suppliers in its stores.

Gerald added: “Working with the Co-op has been a success this year and Waitrose has told us they want to stock our beer from next April. We approached them directly and we have been talking with them for a while.

“We have been told a slot has become available and it will be regional. We are in their internal buying system and we are now waiting for it to start. We have also started in a small way with a national on line beer club called Beer Hunter.”

The firm has also launched a second range of beers for the Morgan Motor Company in Pickersleigh Road, Malvern. Its three-bottle pack with one bottle of Morgan 3 Wheeler Dark Mild, another of Morgan Aero 8 Rye and a third of Morgan 4/4 Blonde Ale is now complemented by a four-bottle pack of Morgan Motor Co. No. 29 Pils, which was introduced at the start of this month.

Morgan managing director Steve Morris said: "We are delighted to work with fellow local company Friday Beer to produce this collection of ales for our customers and visitors. The final product, as well as the label and package designs, are absolutely fantastic and truly celebrate the heritage of the

brand."

The Friday Beer Company also won Great Taste Awards, at their first attempt, for their Friday Gold and Pinnacle Rye Ales this year. Gerald said: “It is a real confirmation to us that our beer is not just good, it stands up to others in the country. We have got fabulous products and they are worthy of these very high profile awards.”

While the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester is using Friday Beer Company bitter and golden ale for its own brand Muddy Wellies beers, which are selling in 60 to 70 outlets across the south of England.

“And we are selling beer and lager to the Cotswold-based Craft Drink Company,” added Gerald.