Vodka Petrol Planned!

William Chase, the world’s leading potato entrepreneur, is planning the next stage of his tuber driven empire – potato power!

Mr Chase, the creator of the Tyrrells Crisp and Chase Vodka brands, believes that waste from his Herefordshire vodka distillery could be used to make a high grade vehicle fuel.

“We have known for a long time that potato starch is an excellent source of bio ethanol but this new scheme will tap the resources left behind in distillery waste,” said Mr Chase.

It is hoped that the fluid left behind in the coppers after Chase Vodka’s high grade spirit has been distilled are still fermentable along with the potato waste.

“There has been research completed at Edinburgh Napier University that has demonstrated that ‘pot ale’ (the fluids left behind from the distilling process) can be fermented into biobutanol. I don’t see why we can’t do the same in Herefordshire,” said Mr Chase.

Biobutanol is believed to be the next generation of biofuel. It gives internal combustion engines 30% more output power than ethanol. And more importantly it can fuel ordinary cars without the need for expensive adaptations to the engine.

“We would need local partners to create enough biomass to make the project commercially viable,” said Mr Chase, “but I firmly believe that vegetable matter will provide the world with the next generation of fuels.

McCain, the UK’s largest potato processor, and Heinz are both believed to be exploring the use of potato peel as a source of biofuel.

About William Chase
• Grew up in Herefordshire in a farming family.

• In 1984 William borrowed £200,000 (equivalent to £2 million today) from the bank to buy his father’s farm and begin trading in potatoes.

• In 1992 sky-high interest rates caused the business to close.

• William set up again in 1993, building a successful business trading, storing, hauling and supplying premium potatoes to supermarket multiples.

• Increasing price pressure in 2002 led William to start a new business using his potatoes to make chips. He spent a year travelling the world to source the equipment and recipe to make potato chips, and by the summer Tyrrells was born.

• In 2004 whilst travelling in the USA looking for chip packaging equipment he found a small distillery making potato vodka and decided to try making vodka on his farm. He sourced a traditional still to make the vodka base and found a family firm with over 100 years of experience to supply a bespoke rectifying column to create the highest quality vodka.

• William made his first batch of vodka in June 2008 and decided to call it Chase Vodka. He sold his majority holding in Tyrrells to found Williams Chase Distillery.

• In 2010 Chase Vodka was judged the world’s best vodka out of 115 vodkas worldwide with a double gold medal in the most respected spirits awards held in San Francisco.

• As well as Chase vodka, Williams Chase Distillery also produces Naked Chase and Williams Gin, both distilled from their own Herefordshire cider, plus limited editions of smoked vodka and a limited edition English Breakfast Marmalade Vodka. The distillery also has a range of vodka-distilled fresh fruit liqueurs including rhubarb and elderflower.

• Williams Chase Distillery products are available online, from all quality retailers nationwide including Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Waitrose, as well as top bars, hotels and restaurants throughout the country.