News / Beer
Brewery for sale as it goes into administration
After a decade of making beer, one of the most innovative breweries in the Bristol area has entered into administration.
Wild Beer was started a decade ago by two friends who met while working as brewers at Bristol Beer Factory, with co-founders Andrew Cooper and Brett Ellis calling Bristol their “spiritual home”.
Wild Beer has a bar on Gaol Ferry Steps in Wapping Wharf. A second bar in Cheltenham closed in 2019.
is needed now More than ever
Wild Beer say that their beers “are more memorable and more flavourful because we make them using nature, science and a little Somerset magic” – photo: Wild Beer
Based at Westcombe in Somerset, Wild Beer raised £1.76m from almost 2,000 investors in 2017 with the hope of building a new brewery, developing their barrel ageing, and growing their bar and restaurant business.
Investors are now asking what will happen to their money after the Sunday Times reported that Wild Beer has collapsed.
“The company instructed administrators after suffering from soaring costs for, among other things, energy and the carbon dioxide used in the beer,” said the Sunday Times.
“A spokesman for the administrators, Undebt, said they were hopeful of interest in acquiring the business given Wild Beer’s strong brand.
“In 2017, Wild Beer raised £1.8 million on Crowdcube from more than 1,900 investors at a £25 million valuation, meaning the average punter invested more than £900. They are now likely to be wiped out.
“Wild Beer did not respond to requests for comment.”
The Wild Beer team in 2019 – photo: Wild Beer
One investor in Wild Beer, David Lee, tweeted: “Zero communication and transparency for investors. Angry.”
Beer Insider blogger Glynn Davis replied: “Same old story with crowdfunding. Fail to deliver anything promised and keep investors in the dark.”
Bristol-based drinks writer Fiona Beckett added: “Absolutely gutted to hear (the) news. Such an inspirational and creative brewery. Really hope something of it survives.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Wild Beer’s wildly successful crowdfunding
- Three Bristol beers named among defining 21 of last decade
- New restaurant Daily Noodles to be opened by Woky Ko founder
- Spicer & Cole close cafe ‘with a heavy heart’
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