Based just south of Leicester, Everards Brewery Ltd is an independent family-owned business widely renowned for its flagship brand and award winning, Tiger Best Bitter. Brewing since 1849, the Company, under fifth generation chairman Richard Everard, firmly believes in combining innovation and modern technology with the best of traditional values and practices throughout their business.
The Company, joined SALSA in March 2014, after numerous on and off-trade buyers had been asking for third party certification. ‘After looking at what was available, we decided to go with SALSA as it was a practical and pragmatic scheme that best suited us as a local supplier of quality products,’ says Mark Tetlow, Quality Assurance Manager. Everards Brewery flew through their first audit to gain SALSA approval just three months later in June 2014. ‘It is important for us and our customers that we have a robust quality system certified by a recognised external body. SALSA fits these criteria perfectly,’ adds Mark.
In 2015, aware of the new SALSA plus Beer audit offered by SALSA in collaboration with Cask Marque, Everards were very keen to work towards achieving the new certification which is tailored to the particular processes and systems of smaller independent breweries and bottlers. They wanted to lead from the front.
Mark comments, ‘When we became aware that there was a specific module for our product category, we were very keen to work towards achieving it and extremely proud to be the first UK brewer to be successfully awarded the Standard.’ Sally Ball, SALSA Operations Manager is also delighted. ‘With SALSA plus Beer, brewers and bottlers can be sure that they are meeting the highest quality and consistency standards expected by consumers with an audit certification that really is fit for purpose. Suppliers and their buyers can only benefit from the extensive sector-specific knowledge and experience of SALSA auditors. Mark Tetlow backs this up. ‘Our auditor had a good knowledge of the brewing industry and supported us throughout the auditing process, offering practical guidance and advice.’
Achieving certification has helped Everards grow and secure new business, with listings now in major supermarkets and national wholesalers. ‘Most definitely a win-win situation for Everards and all our loyal – and new – customers! I would thoroughly recommend SALSA to other local food producers,’ says Mark.
Read more about SALSA plus Beer.