Chime and Hush Brewing Co. announce exciting new partnership

Chester Road restaurant, Chime, is right now undergoing a refurbishment, but is set to re-open for business again at the end of March.

When it does, customers will find a full range of quality craft beers on sale from newcomer Northwich 'nano-brewery' and self-styled 'producer of the freshest beer around', Hush Brewing Co.

Hush also hosts open nights and weekends at their brewery (Image: Hush Brewing Co.)

The two teams are working closely to offer something unique in the area, incorporating a 'drinks vibe' downstairs into their previous conventional restaurant setting upstairs.

Ken Bebb, who is co-ordinating the partnership, said Chime is the perfect location for Hush to really start making its presence felt in the town.  

He said: “I had the idea a while ago that Chime would be an absolutely perfect taproom and kitchen for Hush.

Hush Brewing Co. owners Chris Birtwistle (left) and Simon Appleton (right) (Image: Hush Brewing Co.)

“It’s an up-and-coming brewery on the lookout for somewhere that would be an ideal outlet for having its beers on.

“It gives the brewery a chance to really get itself out there.

“Chime used to be more of a restaurant. Now we’re going be more of a bar that does food, trying to get more of the share of the drinking trade, but there will still be a restaurant upstairs.

“Downstairs will be small plates, nibbles, pizzas, things like that. The kind of place you go for a drink, but you can still get a bit of food.

“Upstairs will be a fuller menu, with table service.

“The focus is on quality. Quality food, quality drinks, quality service.  

“We want people to be able to spend six or seven pounds on something that tastes fantastic and uses local fresh ingredients."

Small plates will include an Asian-style crispy pork belly, deep fried cod pieces with a homemade mustard and dill hot-sauce, and there will be a big focus on vegan and gluten-free dishes like empanadas filled with vegan cheese, peach and red peppers.

Hush also seem to have a keen eye for a marketing opportunty (Image: Hush Brewing Co.)

Ken added: “We thought of offering things like fish and chips, and good pies, but we realised you get that anywhere. We don’t want to be the same as all the others. We want to be unique.   

Simon Appleton, brewer and joint owner of Hush Brewing, said: “An opportunity came along to work with people we know and respect, and we took it. The stars aligned really.

“Working together with another local business like this is going to mutually beneficial for both of us.

“We provide all the beer, and we’ll be running beer tastings, and having some influence on the food.

“We’ll be serving our cask beers, craft keg beers, as well as our range of cans. We’re starting bottling early this year, so we hope to get those in there some time soon.

“We’re all foodies, and we know how to make beer - and, of course, how to drink it. 

"We want that passion to come across to our new customers.

“They’ll be getting the best of both words.”