Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood was given a tour of the Otley brewery as part of her local government tour of Wales.
The AM for South Wales Central was shown around the Cilfynydd-based microbrewery by company director Nick Otley on an afternoon that also saw her campaigning in Pontyclun, Talbot Green and Ynysybwl. She was joined on the Otley brewery tour by Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the Beddau ward, James Radcliffe.
During the tour, Mr Otley explained the brewing process from beginning to end and outlined his company’s plans for expansion into a larger industrial unit nearby in order to keep up with the increasing demand for Otley ales.
Ms Wood said: “As a member of the Campaign for Real Ale and a big fan of the various ales from Otley, the tour was very interesting. It is hard to believe that a small micro-brewery like Otley could have such an impact in the burgeoning ale industry.
“I was particularly impressed by the company’s commitment to sustainability as Nick revealed that the various by-products from the brewing process are given away for free to local allotment holders and farmers for use as fertiliser and animal feed.
“Small local companies such as Otley, particularly those who are community-focused, are such an important part of the Welsh economy.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the Welsh economy and their contribution will increase in the years to come. Welsh food and drink companies have a central role in any plan to increase our food sovereignty, as advocated in my Greenprint policy document.
“I’d encourage people get behind these Welsh companies and do whatever they can to support them as they have great potential to boost our self-sufficiency and help support the local economy.”
Ms Wood added:
“I wish the Otley microbrewery well for the forthcoming expansion and I hope they continue to go from strength-to-strength.”
