TWO scientists who left long, stable careers in the pharmaceutical industry and set up an underground distillery in New Brighton hope to make a ‘big bang’ as brewers.

Ant Ryan first founded Column Craft's 'Gravity Gin' from home in March 2019 and after a meteoric rise to success, his friend and work colleague, David Maloney joined in 2020 as an equal shareholder.

They took redundancy and turned their talents to operating a brewery from Ant’s house and the new 'Peninsula Distillery' underneath Rockpoint Records, in Victoria Road, New Brighton.

The two friends have turned their science expertise towards making spirits under the ‘Column Craft’ banner, by creating various brands such as:

Gravity Gin’s Colour Changing Pear & Berries, glittery Ginger & Citrus, Spiced Apple & Elderflower and the sweeter Pink Gin have earned much success and proved popular across the region.

Wirral Globe:

Ant Ryan and David Maloney in their underground distillery. Picture by Craig Manning

They have also perfected their first beer — ‘Wirral Squirrel’ — a strawberry IPA with floral, herbal and earthy notes.

Recalling the venture's origins, Ant told the Globe: "Two years ago, because we worked shifts - I had four on, six off - I had a lot of time off and this redundancy was looming.

"So I thought, right 'beer or gin'?

"I thought gin was going to be easier, so we went down the compounding route, where you buy in spirits from Langley Distillery down south and were infusing it.

"It's actually harder to produce it this way; it's more expensive per bottle, but the initial set of costs are lower, but it's an entry into the market without having a distillery.

"It evolved from there.

"The first load came out in March 2019, the next a month later ... and we began to work on how we can improve.

"We've had a lot of support across Merseyside and Cheshire.

"We're even in the Caledonia pub in Liverpool and now we have started brewing beers.

"It's really good.

"We were in 30 venues before lockdown and that was within the first twelve months, but that was while we were still employed.

"Then we got offered redundancy.

Wirral Globe:

"In January 2020, Dave came on board and we said 'right, let's both go for it. We'll take the redundancy and let's make the brewery a full-time job'.

"Fingers crossed the business will continue to grow.

"Lockdown's was a nightmare for everyone.

"We used lockdown to buy our brewery equipment and turned the basement into a distillery, because now we're going to make our own spirits from scratch.

"The front living room of my house was for the gin, but is now a brewery."

Looking to the future Ant continued: "Down the line we're thinking of Lar lager, in keeping with the area.

"We've got spiced rum and it was suggested we give it a pirates theme and write New Brighton all over the branding. It's not a USB, but just something that interests people.

The two gents have a combined experience of 40 years in industrial fermentation and distillation. Now with ‘Big Bang Brewery’ and the in house distillery, they’re aiming to go universal!

Ant continued: "When we formed Column Craft initially with the launch of Gravity Gin, it was a part-time side hustle, but we never dreamt it would take off the way it has.

"We're experienced in all areas of science, so we were able to transfer our skills and interests into making alcohol and developing brands, to have a unique and hopefully interesting range of drinks that have, so far, thankfully, been well received.”

He continued: "Like me, all our drinks are vegan friendly and we strive to limit our carbon footprint, offering deposit returns on bottles.

"The new brewery will supply local venues and retail consumers, while the in-house distillery means we are now in control of every part of our process.

"We are beyond grateful to the local community for continued support and are looking forward to seeing the area’s exciting developments flourish.

"In the future, we hope to employ locally, when growing our businesses.”

Co-owner David Maloney said: "Opening the brewery and now a new distillery, is perfect for us.

"We're local and very much a part of the Victoria Quarter regeneration project. We love the fact that it's underground and it gives the eclectic area yet another quirky attraction and talking point."