Stroud Brewery’s 18th anniversary party was the talk of the town this weekend, with more than 1,200 people converging on the brewery for the celebration.
Adjua performing at the party
The three-day free party hosted more than 50 bands and performers as a thank you for the fantastic support the brewery has received from Stroud’s community since 2006.
Greg Pilley, Stroud Brewery’s founder and managing director, is thrilled to have been able to celebrate the brewery’s birthday with the local people he believes are one of the main reasons for its success.
With the future of hospitality looking tough, he says pubs have to look to their roots and their community to future-proof themselves and the environment, rather than slavishly follow the usual business approach of constant expansion.
“It’s so fantastic to be able to give something back after all these years,” he said. “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 crowdfunding 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, so 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 nine awards just in this year alone, so we’re obviously getting the hang of this brewing lark!”
He’s proud that the taproom and facilities at the brewery have become a hub for locals, and proud, too, of being ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainable and ethical practices. Stroud became the first UK brewery to be certified as both organic and a B Corp.
Greg said: “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 redefining 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.”
