A Lanarkshire’s brewery has sealed up its mash tun for the last time, after the owners stated the business has become unviable.
Founded in 2004, Strathaven Ales established itself as one of Scotland’s best craft beer producers, winning numerous awards throughout the years.
However, an increase in energy costs and raw materials “to the tune of around 40 to 50%” was too much for the company to absorb.
“It is with a heavy heart that I now inform you that Strathaven Ales has ceased brewing,“ read a post on the company's Facebook page this morning. “This decision did not come easy, but we are a victim of the ever increasing raw material and energy cost.”
Speaking with Lanarkshire Live shortly after breaking the news online, director Craig Buchanan confirmed there would be around five job losses at the firm, including his own.
An engineer to trade, Craig founded the business with his father Douglas and retired doctor, Alan Young.
They set about establishing a core range of beers and developing the business from the Craigmill Brewery in Strathaven.
Craig and Douglas kept things in the family, with his son Ross coming on 10 years ago and becoming a brewer. He was joined four years later by Ben, who ran the sales and administration side of the company.
Craig explained: “After 18 years, it’s a really sad day, but the bottom line is that the rising costs of energy and raw materials, as well as the impact the pandemic had on the industry, it’s just no longer sustainable.
“Pubs and shops aren’t buying as much now as they did pre-Covid, and some of the places we used to trade with simply didn’t open up after the pandemic.
“Pre-Covid, everything was fine, then overnight we were shut for a year, the team were on furlough and our costs went through the roof.”
Craig said overheads had almost doubled and the business wasn't willing to pass this onto customers.
“We’re in an old mill building, which isn’t the most efficient to produce from,“ he added. “It’s being sold in a few years time and we just couldn’t see a long term future the way things are going.”
The firm have some bottled and cask beer available which will be sold at a vastly reduced cost as a “thank you” to supporters over the years.
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