REAL ale fans across Bolton can raise their glasses again after Tin Head Brewery reopened its tap room for business 23 weeks after it closed its doors.

Nick and Neil Walton established the brewery on Bradley Fold Trading Estate back in 2016 as an outlet for their passion for creating their own beer.

The venture proved a huge success, with the brewery receiving plaudits for its products, as well as its eye-catching designs.

Following successful feedback from drinkers, the pair opened a tap room in October 2018 but like other pubs across the UK they were forced to call time in March this year when the Government announced lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It has been a long time,” said Neil. “Thankfully the support we have had from our regulars and from people across Bolton and Bury has been amazing.”

Neil and his dad were able to keep brewing beer throughout lockdown but with their product unable to purchase in pubs or in their tap room the pair need to diversify.

“We started to sell mini kegs which flew out,” he said. “Then we decided to buy a canning machine so we could can our own beer which went down really well.

“It was a bit of a gamble but as we weren’t open we just thought ‘what else can we do?’

“If it wasn’t for the new customers we got it would have been a torrid time for us.”

During lockdown, The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, calling for support for small brewers. It estimated that beer sales dropped 82% as a result of coronavirus measures and the closing of pubs with 65% of breweries stopping production altogether.

Those breweries, like Tin Head, which did stay open began offering new delivery or takeaway services in order to help supply their local communities with quality craft beer, with some also offering free delivery to local beer lovers.

“It was difficult for real ale fans to get their beer which is why we decided to do home delivery,” said Neil. “It was something we had never done before but we had to think outside the box a bit.

“I was driving around in my van on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and we would try and deliver to Bolton on one day and Bury on another and then Prestwich or Whitefield.

“The response was fantastic and we had so many new customers who had never heard of us before that we are now hoping some of them will come and visit the taproom.”

The brewery’s tap room will open Tuesday to Thursday from 1pm-6pm and then Friday to-Saturday between 1-10pm.

“We’ve had to take a couple of tables out and changed the back room slightly with bigger tables and more space in between,” added Neal.

“We decided to open on Tuesday rather than Bank Holiday because we wanted to make sure everything was ready because every one we have spoken to has had teething problems with reopening.

“We’ve got three days this week to get it right and then hopefully by the weekend we will be capable of dealing with everyone.

“We’re not a massive place and people know and understand that.

“Pulling that first pint will be a big relief and I’m looking forward to seeing our regulars again.”