Wild Beer Co has issued a heartfelt statement after entering administration, saying it had been a "wild ten years". The Somerset-based brewery, which ran a taproom in Wapping Wharf, was today confirmed to have ceased trading with effect from Friday (December 2).
The homepage for the company's website had already been updated with a statement saying: "Sam Talby and Rob Coad of Undebt.co.uk have been appointed as Joint Administrators of The Wild Beer Co Ltd with effect from 2 December 2022 and are managing the affairs, business and property of the Company. The Joint Administrators act as agents of the Company without personal liability.
The business celebrated a decade in business in August and was seen by many as one of the forerunners and success stories of the craft beer movement. However the business announced that they had faced “adverse” trading conditions including covid and damaging inflation also quoting the cost of living crisis.
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In the statement released to the brewery’s Instagram page they address their loyal customers and said: “It is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform you that as of today we have entered into a period of administration. The administrators are attempting to seek out potential buyers to acquire the business, however, at this time we have made the decision to halt any trading. We will continue to provide updates as and when it is necessary.
“We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and love for our brand. It has been a wild ten years and we are heartbroken to be in this position.
"We could see the potential for Wild Beer and we had ambitions to increase sales and brand exposure. We must sadly report that the company has been facing a number of adverse trading conditions including; Covid, the loss of export sales, spiraling production costs, damaging inflation, and an increase in interest rates that have all affected sales.
"These factors along with the recent cost-of-living crisis have impacted the company’s ability to succeed.
“We would like to thank everyone who has supported us: those who have invested in our company; our amazing team; stockists; suppliers and everyone who has enjoyed our beers. We hope to resolve the current position shortly and will update you as soon as we are able to do so."
Dozens across the country who have supported the company and those in the industry have expressed their shock at it's closure.
One was founder of QueerBrewing Lily Waite, who wrote on Twitter: "Heartbroken for Brett, Andrew, and all staff. Wild played such an important part in my beer journey and were such an influential brewery.”
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