THE city centre's new brewery has appointed its head brewer ready for its opening next month.

The Bradford Brewery will bring the industry back into the city after 60 years since the closure of Hammonds Bradford Brewery in 1955.

The aim is to open the brewery and its onsite pub, The Brew Factory, in the first week of February, subject to building work.

And Steve Crump has now started his pivotal role of head brewer.

The 33-year-old comes to Bradford city centre from Wharfe Bank Brewery, in Pool-in-Wharfedale, where he was head brewer for the past two years and created a number of award-winning brews.

He is busy preparing for the opening next month and recruiting and training brewery staff.

As well as developing the beers and overseeing quality and consistency, the head brewer will also be responsible for managing the ten barrel plant off Westgate, in the former headquarters of Shaw's Moisture Meters.

The £400,000 project, funded partly through a Bradford Council Growth Zone grant and Dragon's Den star Doug Richards, will initially produce 16,000 pints a week.

Mr Crump said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Bradford Brewery as the head brewer's job comes with the opportunity to put my own stamp on an exciting new venture.

"It will be fantastic to help shape the business as it grows and to be among a like-minded community of brave trailblazers who are injecting some real vibrancy into the Independent Quarter of Bradford right now.

"I’d also like to thank everyone at Wharfe Bank for putting their faith in me and giving me my first big break."

Craft brewing is considered by many as a science in its own right and Mr Crump brings to the role some exceptionally scientific skills. He previously worked as a microbiologist for the Government’s Food and Environment Research Agency before taking a leap of faith to pursue a career involving his real passion - beer and brewing.

He had started home-brewing as a hobby, but soon realised his recipes were very well-received. He began volunteering and undertaking work experience until some of his brews were accepted and used by the breweries where he was helping out.

Bradford Brewery managing director Matthew Halliday said: "It goes without saying that the head brewer is one of the most important roles in our team as we want to come up with a range of beers that have a fresh individuality that will appeal to a range of palates and will be counted among the best in the country.

"We really did get some fantastic applicants and in the end, we were bowled over by Steve’s obvious love for beer and brewing, his knowledge and understanding of the industry and his thirst to contribute to something new."

MORE TOP STORIES