More than 2,000 drinkers raised a pint of refreshing organic beer to celebrate Stroud Brewery turning 18.
The three-day free party saw more than fifty bands and performers entertain a packed brewery.
Greg Pilley, the founder of the canal side brewery, said: “It’s so fantastic to be able to give something back after all these years. This party is a thank-you for people’s past support, and we hope they’ll feel they can support us for another 18 years.
“That support has been crucial for us. The brewery was able to get started and then expand twice thanks to money the local community invested in us. We survived the pandemic because the £114,000 raised by the crowd-funding appeal organised by Stroud’s community which, added to the help from Stroud District Council, Triodos Bank and our landlords, Howard Tenens, kept us afloat.
“Local people’s support through drinking our beer and using the taproom is still as vital as ever as times are very tough for us and hospitality in general. Last year, 508 pubs shut down in the UK because of the current economic situation affecting both the commercial world and the public. We make very little profit the same as for most hospitality companies, which we have to be very careful running the business.
“However, we’re confident we’ll be here in another 18 years as we have plenty to be proud of – our great tasting, organic beer has won 9 awards just in this year alone so we’re obviously getting the hang of this brewing lark!
“We’re also really chuffed that our taproom and facilities have made us a hub for local life with so many people coming here to run clubs, activities, events and to celebrate milestones in their lives.
“When I set up the brewery in 2006, my long-term hope was that it would become a place where people would meet to develop new ideas, build their social lives, to discuss the nature of life as well as their hopes and dreams, and to laugh, learn and grow. We’ve also led the way in adopting sustainable and ethical practices and started doing this before it was heard of within hospitality.
“We were convinced it was really important to do, and the support of Stroud was reassuring to remind us we were doing the right thing! We became the first UK brewery to be certified as both organic and a B Corporation. Another proud moment.
“If pubs are going to survive, they need to be more than just an ‘altar to beer’. By creating meaningful partnerships within its community, a multitude of opportunities open up for both to not only survive, but thrive and create a better life for everyone. Pubs have always had to evolve and, by re-defining their role to provide a supportive and inclusive space for anyone whatever their background, the future for our pubs – and our communities and environment – will flourish and prosper.”
