Three hundred and forty years’ history is behind a new lager collaboration from two of Sunderland’s best-known brands — Sheepfolds Stables and the iconic Vaux Brewery.
Left to right: Steve Smith (managing director) and Michael Thompson (director) of Vaux Brewery, with Rick Marsden managing director of Building Design Northern Ltd
The specially developed helles lager will be served exclusively at Sheepfolds Stables, a hotly anticipated food, drink, events, and entertainment venue, which is due to open on 2nd August at 6pm.
Pit Pony has been named to acknowledge the area’s former coal industry and Sheepfolds Stables’ 140-year history. It will have labelling that features Vaux’s once famous dray horses.
The lager is being brewed at Vaux’s new microbrewery in Monkwearmouth, next to Wearmouth Bridge. The partnership is also part of Vaux’s wider expansion plans that will enable more than 3,000 barrels of Pit Pony and other products to be produced annually.
From its Charles Street site, Pit Pony will then be transported one mile up the road to Sheepfolds and carefully stored on site in six traditional, custom-made tanks. Specially designed, the serving tanks are set to become an impressive focal point, sitting aloft in The Tap Room, the venue’s main bar area which was once stable buildings. It dates back to 1884.
The partnership between Sheepfolds Stables and Vaux Brewery also underpins developer Building Design Northern’s (BDN) steadfast philosophy for the 20,000 sq ft grade II listed site, now fully re-imagined and repurposed, with its unique heritage preserved.
“From the very start of this project, our vision has always been to keep the history alive, so being able to go one step further and join forces with Vaux Brewery, an iconic name, is just fantastic,” said Rick Marsden, managing director of BDN.
“Vaux was always the beating heart of this city. It meant everything and people had a very strong infinity to it. Years may have passed since its initial closure, but following its successful relaunch in 2019 as a microbrewery, it was always in our minds to somehow bring this name to Sheepfolds Stables.
“The synergy that exists between us in terms of history, legacy, what both parties are delivering for the city, and what it’ll also mean to the people of Sunderland, is quite special. So, being able to announce this partnership and start brewing our very own, tank-fresh Pit Pony lager to be sold on draught onsite, is just fantastic.
“We have made a determined effort, first and foremost, to use local companies and producers over larger commercial brands wherever possible, and whilst various well-known brands will be sold at Sheepfolds too, these have been selected carefully for their sustainability and environmental values.
“We’re very much looking at other opportunities with Vaux, and some of their additional products, as well as those from other local breweries, will be sold in our bars too. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved in this project.”
Steve Smith, director of Vaux Brewery said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be working with Rick and the rest of the Sheepfolds team on this collaboration. From the initial discussions it was clear that there would be an emphasis on quality local producers, so we feel it is a perfect fit for what we’re about.
“We’ve worked for over a year on this collaboration and have put a lot of effort into recipe development and the logistics required to make sure the beer is at its peak when served. The whole development oozes character and will be an amazing new addition to the city which we’re proud to be involved with.”
Vaux has been a well-loved name in Sunderland for more 200 years, and was originally known as C. Vaux & Sons, from 1837 through to the 1900s. It was one of the North East’s largest employers until its closure in 1999, with the former production site now becoming Riverside Sunderland, a visionary, multi-million pound regeneration and investment masterplan being delivered by Sunderland City Council.
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