News / Brewery looks beyond island shores
A SQUAD of modern day Vikings have been booked for the opening of the new premises of a Shetland brewery named after the home of the Norse god Odin.
Valhalla Brewery, run by husband and wife team Sonny and Silvia Priest, has been operating for more than 14 years out of a large shed next to their house in Baltasound on Unst, the UK’s most northerly isle.
Now after years of planning and long hours on the building site, the company has moved to refurbished premises next to the Saxa Vord holiday resort.
The move will allow the small brewery to double production to as much as 144,000 litres a year, hopefully breaking into new markets such as Scandinavia where its name should stir up strong emotions.
The £103,000 expansion has been made possible with financial help from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Shetland Islands Council, and includes a new brewery shop and additional staff.
Valhalla Brewery produce six real ales which are brewed, bottled, labelled and packaged on site by a small workforce.
Mr Priest said: “During the summer months, demand usually exceeds supply and the old site was too small for any expansion.”
HIE’s David Priest added: “The extra production capacity now possible means that what has been a successful local brand of beer can now become a successful export and will hopefully be seen on the shelves in supermarkets across Scotland as well as Europe.”
The official opening on 14 April will be followed by a supper dance in the Haroldswick Hall.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
