The owners of an award winning Northampton brewery are offering people the chance to take on their ‘dream job’ by buying the firm.
St James-based Frog Island Brewery is being sold as a going concern by husband and wife team Bruce and Mandy Littler, who are both planning to leave the industry,
Mr Littler, aged 48, and Mrs Littler, aged 45, have run the brewery in The Maltings, St James, since 1994, but are now both looking for a new challenge.
Mr Littler described the experience as a dream job.
His highlights over the past 19 years have included winning the Champion Beer of Britain title, and winning the best drink in Northamptonshire prize at the Holdenby Food Show in 2009.
The brewery is also known for being one of the first in the country to offer a personalised label printing service for its beers.
Mr Littler said: “I feel now is a good time for me to get out of the industry and do something completely different.
“It’s a dream job almost all of the time, but it’s come to a point where I’m looking for a new challenge in life.
“The brewery can expand a lot more, but we just don’t feel we are up to it any more.”
Mr Littler is hoping the buyers will continue the brewery’s good work.
He said: “We are hoping to sell as a going concern and we are happy to train people.
“The noises I am getting at the moment is customers are hoping someone comes and takes it on.
“And for us, leaving will be sad. One of the drivers we’ve known for 15 or 16 years possibly did his last delivery from us on Wednesday.
“Saying goodbye to him was a little bit difficult.”
Mr Littler is hoping to go into the caravan and motorhome servicing industry - and went for his first ever job interview this week, just two years before his 50th birthday.
Mrs Littler is hoping to take up an administration post at a school.
For details of how to buy the brewery, visit brewery4sale.webs.com or call Northampton 587772.
Frog Island Brewery has been praised as a “pioneer” of micro-brewing in Northamptonshire by the county branch of the Campaign for Real Ale. Phil Greenway, chairman of Northants CAMRA, said: “Bruce and Mandy will be a great loss. They were pioneers - one of the first micro-breweries in the county.
“They will be sorely missed. It would be nice to see the brews continue, as they have some excellent beers.”
Mr Greenway, who runs Great Oakley Brewery in Tiffield, said
“It is a brave decision, but it is hard work running a brewery. I know where they are coming from.
“They are good friends of mine and I wish them all the best. It would be good if we could keep the brand going - watch this space.”
Everything the brewery owns is up for sale - including more than 400 firkins, brewing equipment, a van, an office and the company’s internet domain name.
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