Oliver Marsh, Bedlam Brewery, From Grape to Grain
Bedlam Brewery was founded in 2013 & sits on the edge of the South Downs National Park close to Brighton with stunning views to the south. The brewery is experiencing steady growth and in the last year doubled production & with crowd funding raised £330,000 in order to relocate in 2018.
The brewery currently offers four beers on draft or by the bottle - with Porter winning Gold in the SIBA Independent Beer Awards 2017.
Today we meet Oliver Marsh, Operations Manager at Bedlam Brewery, who started his career with Ridgeview Wine Estate after graduating from Plumpton College Wine Dept.
About the business
Q Why did you join this company?
OM I joined Bedlam Brewery in May this year. I had been aware of Bedlam since they began and been enjoying their beers in pubs in and around Brighton for a few years. About this time last year I saw Paul Reed, ex Dark Star MD and Founder, had joined the team in the middle of a big crowdfunding push – I saw their desire and intention to grow. When a position for Operations Manager was advertised, I enquired, interviewed and got the job.
Q What does the business do?
OM We are a brewery focusing on traditional and craft cask and kegged beers. We supply local (South East & London) free houses, groups and chains and regional wholesalers.
Q What is your favourite product?
OM My favourite beer changes regularly. Fortunately new test beers are often forced on me as part of R&D so I never get settled on one favourite too long.
Q What does the future hold?
OM The future’s looking good. We’re due to move to a new site soon allowing us to grow both production and sales side by side. The brewers have been set free to test and try new recipes so expect more regular and exciting cask and keg specials from Bedlam in 2018.
About your job
Q Why did you change careers?
OM I moved to Bedlam for a change and opportunity. I loved my time and friends at Ridgeview Estate, but couldn’t resist this new challenge, joining Bedlam at the beginning of something special and moving into the beer world. I’d studied and appreciated wine my whole life, but I couldn’t deny I’m a massive beer drinker and fan. Working at the forefront of a brewery was too good a thing to pass up.
Q What is the best things about your current role?
OM It’s still early days for me here so every day brings something new. I’ve learnt a lot about the brewing and beer/pub industry very quickly – it’s a completely different world to English wine.
I’m also studying part time at University of Brighton Business School on the MBA course. So any free time outside helping grow the brewery and drinking new & exciting beers is spent studying hard.
About your time Plumpton
Q What course did you study at Plumpton?
OM I studied Wine Business at Plumpton and graduated about ten years ago now! Memories are very vague but I enjoyed the mix of business study at University of Brighton, general wine (WSET Diploma) education and having the opportunity to delve more into viticulture & vinification modules.
About you
Q Where are you from?
OM I’m local. Grew up in Littlehampton (LA to the locals –Little’Ampton) and lived in and around Brighton all my life. Married, Mortgage, Two cats and still paying off student debt (from a degree pre-Plumpton). I’m a part-time runner (on and off marathon training every other year) a keen and skilled fly-fisherman and a brilliant house-husband. I love cooking, cleaning and doing the weekly shop.
Q Dog or cat?
OM Dog or Cat – easy. Cats all the way – hands down winner. Apart from getting married, rescuing our two cats (Frank & Chester) was literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me. If we’re lucky to have kids in the near future they’ve going to have to be pretty special to better the cats.
Thank you Oliver, a pleasure to meet you - thanks for the beers, I couldn't let those used for the images in this article go to waste!
Bedlam Brewery
Website: https://bedlambrewery.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BedlamBrewery @BedlamBrewery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedlam_brewery/ @bedlam_brewery
Email: info@bedlambrewery.co.uk
The brewery currently offers four beers on draft or by the bottle - with Porter winning Gold in the SIBA Independent Beer Awards 2017.
Today we meet Oliver Marsh, Operations Manager at Bedlam Brewery, who started his career with Ridgeview Wine Estate after graduating from Plumpton College Wine Dept.
 |
| Oliver Marsh, Operations Manager, Bedlam Brewery Wine Business Foundation Degree, Plumpton College |
Oliver Marsh
Brewing Award Winning Craft Beers
About the business
Q Why did you join this company?
OM I joined Bedlam Brewery in May this year. I had been aware of Bedlam since they began and been enjoying their beers in pubs in and around Brighton for a few years. About this time last year I saw Paul Reed, ex Dark Star MD and Founder, had joined the team in the middle of a big crowdfunding push – I saw their desire and intention to grow. When a position for Operations Manager was advertised, I enquired, interviewed and got the job.
Q What does the business do?
OM We are a brewery focusing on traditional and craft cask and kegged beers. We supply local (South East & London) free houses, groups and chains and regional wholesalers.
 |
| Distinctive branding for Bedlam Brewery from Addison Group. Distinctive pint glasses ensure the brand gets noticed. |
Q What is your favourite product?
OM My favourite beer changes regularly. Fortunately new test beers are often forced on me as part of R&D so I never get settled on one favourite too long.
 |
| R & D & Quality Control are essential in maintaining consistent & quality beers. Oliver is regularly forced to try new brews as part of his role! |
Q What does the future hold?
OM The future’s looking good. We’re due to move to a new site soon allowing us to grow both production and sales side by side. The brewers have been set free to test and try new recipes so expect more regular and exciting cask and keg specials from Bedlam in 2018.
About your job
Q Why did you change careers?
OM I moved to Bedlam for a change and opportunity. I loved my time and friends at Ridgeview Estate, but couldn’t resist this new challenge, joining Bedlam at the beginning of something special and moving into the beer world. I’d studied and appreciated wine my whole life, but I couldn’t deny I’m a massive beer drinker and fan. Working at the forefront of a brewery was too good a thing to pass up.
 |
| The Hop Whisperer! Bedlam Brewery feel passionately about the environment - used hops & grains are given to local farmers free for composting & animal feed. All energy used for brewing comes from a large array of solar panels on the brewery roof. |
Q What is the best things about your current role?
OM It’s still early days for me here so every day brings something new. I’ve learnt a lot about the brewing and beer/pub industry very quickly – it’s a completely different world to English wine.
I’m also studying part time at University of Brighton Business School on the MBA course. So any free time outside helping grow the brewery and drinking new & exciting beers is spent studying hard.
About your time Plumpton
Q What course did you study at Plumpton?
OM I studied Wine Business at Plumpton and graduated about ten years ago now! Memories are very vague but I enjoyed the mix of business study at University of Brighton, general wine (WSET Diploma) education and having the opportunity to delve more into viticulture & vinification modules.
About you
Q Where are you from?
OM I’m local. Grew up in Littlehampton (LA to the locals –Little’Ampton) and lived in and around Brighton all my life. Married, Mortgage, Two cats and still paying off student debt (from a degree pre-Plumpton). I’m a part-time runner (on and off marathon training every other year) a keen and skilled fly-fisherman and a brilliant house-husband. I love cooking, cleaning and doing the weekly shop.
Q Dog or cat?
OM Dog or Cat – easy. Cats all the way – hands down winner. Apart from getting married, rescuing our two cats (Frank & Chester) was literally the best thing that’s ever happened to me. If we’re lucky to have kids in the near future they’ve going to have to be pretty special to better the cats.
 |
| A tasty gift for the beer aficionado in your life, available direct from Bedlam Brewery |
Thank you Oliver, a pleasure to meet you - thanks for the beers, I couldn't let those used for the images in this article go to waste!
Bedlam Brewery
Website: https://bedlambrewery.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BedlamBrewery @BedlamBrewery
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedlam_brewery/ @bedlam_brewery
Email: info@bedlambrewery.co.uk
Plumpton College Wine Dept - Wine Production Foundation Degree
Original photography & blog by Ian Pack- call for bookings or to discuss your next project.
Images remain copyright Ian Pack and are available for commercial use.
Email: ian@packshots.biz
Tel: +44 7710 814665
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ianpack @ianpack
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ianpack @ianpack
Original photography & blog by Ian Pack- call for bookings or to discuss your next project.
Images remain copyright Ian Pack and are available for commercial use.
Email: ian@packshots.biz
Tel: +44 7710 814665
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ianpack @ianpack
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ianpack @ianpack
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