News / Beer

Bristol brewery stops production

By Martin Booth  Wednesday Dec 14, 2022

Hefty price increases and “some significant challenges ahead” have contributed to a Bristol brewery stopping production.

Newtown Park said in a statement that they have found themselves in “an unfortunate position”.

Despite stopping brewing, their taproom in St Philip’s will remain open “for now”, with the team hopeful to continue releasing collaboration beers in the future.

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Lara Light-McKelvaney and Michael McKelvaney opened Newtown Park in 2020 at the original site of Left Handed Giant at Wadehurst Industrial Park, close to the start of the Bristol & Bath Railway Park.

As well as brewing progressive and accessible beers, Newtown created a strong community around their brewery including their own cycle club.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdTR-m-scPK/

The news from Newtown Park comes just a week after Somerset brewery Wild Beer entered into administration.

Newtown Park’s statement on Tuesday said that “like many other breweries, we have been facing some difficult trading conditions and as the entire industry faces huge price increases, we have some significant challenges ahead”.

“We are working hard to protect a future for Newtown Park, but to do so means making some tough decisions, so sadly today will be our last day of production at the brewery.

“We’re so proud of the brand that we’ve built in the last two years and hope that we can use partnerships to continue releasing beer that you all love so much.

“We’d like to thank our amazing staff for all of their hard work & wish them a successful future.

“Our taproom will remain open for now, so please continue to support us and all other local breweries & businesses in what is going to be a brutal time for trading.”

Husband and wife team, Michael McKelvaney (left) and Lara Light-McKelvaney (centre), chose to face the challenges of 2020 head on and launch the business they always dreamt of, joined by head brewer Virginia Casadio (right) – photo: Newtown Park

Main photo: Newtown Park

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