Exmoor Ales & Hogs Back Brewery Partnership
Like many breweries, Exmoor Ales, has faced some challenging times recently due to the knock-on effects of COVID-19, inflation, market changes and most recently, tax increases. This has meant Exmoor Ales needs to restructure and sadly close the brewery.
Whilst Exmoor Ales looked at a number of options, they were concerned that they would lose nearly all the jobs, their brands, and their independence. Exmoor Ales has a strong following of loyal drinkers built up over more than 40 years, so they have been looking for a solution that will allow them to continue employing people locally and be in charge of their own sales and future.
We’re pleased to announce that Hogs Back Brewery will be collaborating with Exmoor Ales, another family-owned, independent brewer, with whom we have a lot in common. For a period of time, Miles and team will be brewing Exmoor’s beers here, while the management team at Exmoor explore future options. Exmoor’s Head Brewer, Sanghrash, will be here at the Brewery, getting to know our brewhouse, and working with our team to brew the same recipes, using the same yeast for each Exmoor brand in the range, to make sure the beers exactly match the same taste and quality as now. MD Miles and the team have a wealth of experience when it comes to working collaboratively with other small businesses around the country so Sanghrash will be right at home!
Exmoor will continue to distribute their beers locally from Wiveliscombe in Somerset, while we’ll be helping out with national distribution of their brands.
Jonathan Price will remain at Exmoor as Managing Director of the new operation, together with their sales and distribution team. Jonathan already has exciting new plans to launch a lager, a low-alcohol beer and a new IPA under the Exmoor brand into his local patch, as well as introducing some of our Hogs Back beers to his discerning customers! He’ll also be on the look for collaboration opportunities with other local businesses as well as introducing exclusive distribution arrangements with other drinks businesses.
We’ll drink to that!
So you can get to know the Exmoor range, we’ll soon be serving up Exmoor Gold on draught and selling a selection of their bottled beers including Exmoor Gold and Beast in the Brewery Shop. Keep following social to find out when the deliveries arrive.
Read the joint Exmoor and Hogs Back press release here
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