Doom Bar brewery located in Cornwall will be closed by its US-based owners

Doom Bar Brewery Faces Closure Amid Industry Challenges

The renowned Cornish brewery responsible for Doom Bar is set to close, following a decision by its American parent company, as the UK’s beer and pub sector continues to face significant difficulties.

Molson Coors, which acquired Sharp’s Brewery in 2011, has announced plans to shut down the cask ale facility in Rock, Wadebridge, by the end of the year, citing ongoing financial losses that make the site unsustainable.

This development casts uncertainty over the future of Doom Bar, a leading cask ale in Britain, named after the sandbank at the entrance to Cornwall’s Camel Estuary and brewed at the site for three decades.

Industry Response and Concerns

Tom Stainer, CEO of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), criticized the move, describing it as yet another instance of a multinational corporation eroding the UK’s traditional cask brewing legacy.

Molson Coors has stated it is considering alternative production options for Sharp’s beers, including Doom Bar, but Stainer argued that brewing iconic Cornish beers outside Cornwall would be unacceptable.

The company maintains its commitment to the Sharp’s brands and is open to future collaborations, while also producing other beers such as Coors Light.

Broader Industry Struggles

The decision to close Sharp’s Brewery follows recent data showing that breweries in Britain are shutting down at the fastest pace in half a century, largely due to rising taxes and financial pressures.

While the number of breweries grew rapidly between 2015 and 2019, the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (Siba) reported that three breweries closed each week last year, attributing the decline to government policies that have eroded local brewing traditions.

Breweries have been hit by a series of tax hikes, including increased business rates and higher beer duties, and were notably left out of a recent government support package for pubs.

Following advocacy from The Telegraph, the Chancellor introduced a 15% reduction in business rates for pubs starting in April, but experts argue that breweries still require additional assistance.

Calls for Government Action

Stainer emphasized the loss of numerous cask ale brands and breweries, blaming global brewers for prioritizing profits over heritage and consumer choice. He highlighted the negative impact on local pubs, the Cornish and UK brewing culture, and employment.

He urged the government to support independent brewers and cider makers, ensuring their products remain available in pubs and that the diversity of British beer styles is preserved and expanded.

Molson Coors’ Statement and Company Changes

Molson Coors explained that the decision to close Sharp’s Brewery came after exhausting all possible alternatives to keep the site viable within its UK operations.

The restructuring will also involve closing its Cardiff call centre, potentially resulting in the loss of up to 200 jobs.

Simon Kerry, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland at Molson Coors, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but said it was necessary for the company’s long-term growth. He noted that significant investments had been made in both the site and the Sharp’s brands in an effort to avoid closure.

About Sharp’s Brewery

Founded by Bill Sharp in 1994, Sharp’s Brewery began in a converted speedboat store in Rock and has since produced a range of beers, including hazy IPAs, pale ales, and ciders, alongside its flagship Doom Bar.