NEWS
Quench your thirst with Strip Tees – a cheeky little IPA from Teesside ’ s very own Salt Steel Brewing Co – ready and waiting in a pub near you !
Something ’ s brewing - Salt Steel Brewing Co ’ s Liam Senior
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : DAZ MACK
Beer o ’ clock !
T he phased reopening of pubs on May 17 this year came as a huge relief to Salt Steel Brewing Co ’ s managing director Liam Senior .
After Liam put his heart and soul into creating a brew that Teessiders can call their own , the resulting product – Strip Tees – is finally available to enjoy in a number of venues across the region . And never one to rest on his laurels , Liam is busy brewing his second batch of the beer .
Acklam-based Liam has long been a devotee of craft beers and has a wealth of knowledge and experience – there ’ s not much he doesn ’ t know about his passion ! Liam launched Strip Tees – a West Coast IPA described as a full-flavoured , crisp , refreshing bitter blast of citrus , grapefruit and pine with floral hop aromas – in can form in December last year , shipping around the country as well as to drinkers on Teesside .
Though the product and its associated glassware , hoodies and T-shirts proved hugely popular with online shoppers , with more than 650 cans on pre-order in the first couple of weeks and an evergrowing cult following , it was always the plan to expand swiftly and take the beer mainstream .
Liam himself was keen for the quirkilynamed Strip Tees to take its place
In the can - Strip Tees IPA is in demand .
behind the bars of his favourite pubs and restaurants , and for it to grace our bottle shops , takeaways and coffee shops with alcohol licences .
Of course , nobody figured on Covid wreaking such havoc , so it ’ s been a huge achievement for Liam that he has not only continued with his ambitious plans during a very difficult period but has managed to place Strip Tees in several popular local pubs .
The distinctive blue and black cans and the first kegs of Strip Tees are now available at the Twisted Peel in Guisborough , the Tannery in Great Ayton , Middlesbrough ’ s Off The Ground , Signals and the Pantry in Saltburn and Stockton ’ s Top Of The Hops .
“ These are the first of our venues and it ’ s all systems go now ,” says Liam proudly . “ I hope that by placing Strip Tees in these venues – with more to come – we ’ re showing our support for the hospitality industry with a new and exciting product .”
For Liam , it was a dream come true to be able to order a pint of Strip Tees as a regular customer in the pub – even if he did rock up wearing his Salt Steel Brewing Co sweatshirt .
“ I couldn ’ t resist !” he laughed . “ But going into the pub , buying a pint of my own beer and taking that very first sip in the beer garden in the sun was an incredibly proud moment .”
With all indications that Strip Tees is going to be a huge hit , Liam plans to grow the brand regionally and then beyond .
“ Ideally , we ’ d like to get into more premises , particularly places like the Riverside Stadium , which I think is the perfect fit for Strip Tees ,” he said .
In the meantime , while the beer lovers of our region enjoy a summer of football with Strip Tees in cans at home or on draft down the pub , its creator is busy not only promoting the drink further afield but creating more mouth-watering offerings .
“ I have a lager and a New England IPA in the planning stages ,” said Liam . “ Something to look forward to when restrictions are finally lifted .”
We say cheers to that , Liam !
For more details , visit saltsteelbrewing . com
The voice of business in the Tees region | 109