Midday update: this is, of course, an April Fool.
One of Armagh’s most historic buildings could shortly be toasting a new future, as Armagh Gaol looks set to become Armagh Ale!
For the iconic Mall edifice finally looks set to have found its calling as plans are in place to open a new working brewery and distillery on site, Armagh I can reveal.
Not only that, the building would also offer tour opportunities, and there is the intension to add another welcome addition, given the setting, in the form of ‘escape rooms’.
Cells in the former prison will be converted to offer the ultimate escape challenge and provide a testing experience for participants, targeted at stag and hen parties and special corporate team-bonding exercises.
This element of the attraction will ‘borrow’ the name of the infamous Alcatraz in San Francisco, now a major tourist attraction in its own right, and will be known as ‘Alco-traz’!
The developer behind the plans will today (Tuesday) be advertising scores of jobs – including quality control roles or, to the layman’ product tasters!
The Gaol, which ceased to operate as a women’s prison in the 1980s, has for many years now been the desired venue for a boutique hotel.
But the project has been beset with problems, not least of all funding, which has stalled it in its tracks.
Now a new private developer has come on board with plans to create a unique tourist opportunity and no doubt thriving business.
Armagh is famed for its Bramley apple and has numerous producers of quality made ciders.
For that reason, the developer has now lodged a change of use application with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to open a new brewery which will specialise in producing a range of ales, lagers and craft beers.
The product, expected to be widely stocked through local hospitality providers and pubs, will be brewed and bottled at the former prison under the rather apt sales pitch: ‘The Best Beer Behind Bars’.
Production will not be limited, however, to beers.
The hope is to manufacture a range of spirits too, particularly flavoured gins, one of which will specifically celebrate the aforementioned Bramley of local note.
These will be marketed as ‘Life on the Ginside’, again in keeping with the unique home base.
An alcohol-free version will be produced too, under the working name ‘Ginnocent’, given its ‘zero-proof’ status.
Ready-mixed tinned cocktails – to be themed as ‘Lock-tails’ – will include a whiskey slammer, pina cellada and stretch on the beach.
Armagh Ale CEO Mr Philip D. Glass said the new brewery and escape rooms concept was a perfect blend for visitors.
He told Armagh I : “The Gaol will function as a working brewery and distillery, producing a quality range of beverages branded around the theme of the building’s use as a prison.
“The escape rooms can be booked separately or as a tour conclusion.
“Other breweries and distilleries, such as Bushmills and Guinness, offer the public the opportunity to see behind the scenes at how their favourite tipples are manufactured and it has proven so popular elsewhere.
“We feel that Armagh is the perfect location for such an enterprise and will ensure that this local landmark is no longer allowed to simply sit unused and deterioriating.”
Jobs are due to be advertised online today, from 12noon, at www.armaghjobs.com
