Pub entrepreneur Matt Saunders hopes to open “three or four” sites in the Midlands under his new craft beer bar venture Crafted Bars, M&C Report has learnt.
The first pub under the venture, the Queen of Bradgate, opened last month on a free-of-tie lease with Star Pubs & Bars. Saunders told M&C Report that the drinks offer includes craft beers and imported lagers alongside eight real ales.
“It’s just a far more interesting range of beers,” he said. “It sits very nicely next to the real ale offering; it’s a very similar demographic.
“We only stock lagers if we believe they’ve been brewed properly and with true provenance. There will be no Asian beers brewed in Tadcaster or Danish beers brewed in Northampton, but there will be plenty of choice. Global icons brewed by monks, fruit beers on tap, London stouts and our house lager brewed just up the road in Burton.”
The pub has the strapline “eat, drink, furnish” and features a food menu based on “good local produce”, while many of the items of furniture are available to buy.
Saunders added: “The aim is to do three or four of them, all within the Midlands.”
Separately, Saunders told M&C Report that Moleface Pub Company, of which he’s a partner, hopes to acquire another site next year.
Saunders also founded the Fat Cat Group, which was placed in administration last year.
