What Gloucester Brewery does

Gloucester Brewery is a UK-based craft brewery and distillery founded in 2011 and headquartered at Gloucester Docks, operating from a historic 1888 docklands malthouse. The company produces a multi-award-winning core range of craft beers (including New England IPA, Session IPA, American Pale Ale, Gloucester Gold, Cascade Best Bitter, Craft Tank Lager, Dockside Dark, and Zero Gravity alcohol-free), a calendar of seasonal and limited-edition beers, and a full spirits portfolio under the Fox's Kiln Distillery sub-brand (gins, spiced and cherry rums, vodka and flavoured liqueurs). Production is small-batch, with an in-house canning line, hearts-only rectification distillation for gin, and an explicit Net Zero commitment supported by Spring Environmental carbon accounting and TreeApp reforestation partnerships.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer revenue flows through the company's own Shopify e-commerce site with nationwide Monday-Friday delivery (free over £50), the on-site Warehouse 4 taproom and shop at Gloucester Docks, and twice-monthly brewery tour experiences (£24 per person). On-trade and wholesale revenue is generated via a dedicated breww.com trade portal and distribution to pubs, bars, and restaurants across Gloucestershire and beyond. Warehouse 4 doubles as an entertainment venue, hosting live music on Fridays and Saturdays, monthly comedy nights, quiz nights, and private hire for corporate events, weddings, and celebrations of up to 200 guests, with catering provided through pop-up street food vendors (e.g., Smiths of Bourton).

Customer segments span individual consumers, on-trade venues, charities (with 10% of selected product sales donated to causes such as the Hollie Gazzard Trust, GWAAC, LINC, CALM, and Young Gloucester), and local sports clubs via sponsorship. Revenue mechanics are unit-priced across SKUs (£30-£40 per 12x500ml case, £30-£38 per 70cl spirit, £24 tour ticket), with promotional codes such as HOPPY20 driving conversion. Managing Director Geoff Smith leads the company; ownership is privately held with no disclosed institutional investment beyond a 2021 Crowdcube round of approximately £693,853.

Name

Gloucester Brewery

Legal name

Gloucester Brewery Ltd

Website

https://gloucesterbrewery.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gloucester Brewery is a UK craft brewery and distillery producing award-winning beers and Fox's Kiln spirits from an 1888 heritage site at Gloucester Docks, selling direct-to-consumer via e-commerce and Warehouse 4 taproom, wholesale through a trade portal, and via events and venue hire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer & Spirits

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Distilleries (312140), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcoholic Beverage Tours & On-site Experiences (Brewery/Winery/Distillery) (THAFALAK), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Craft & Specialty Beverage Wholesale (Local/Artisanal) (AFAIAGAH), Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Craft spirits distillery
• Taproom venue
• Brewery tours
• Trade beverage distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Gloucester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Beer and Spirit Sales: Direct sales of multi-award winning craft beers and Fox's Kiln spirits through e-commerce, taproom, and on-site shop. Products include core beer range, special/seasonal beers, gins, rums, and vodkas.
2. Venue Operations (Warehouse 4): Taproom and bar operations serving beers on tap, cocktails, and Fox's Kiln spirits. Features self-serve bar on mezzanine floor. Food served through pop-up street food vendors.
3. Venue Hire and Events: Private hire of Warehouse 4 venue for corporate events, weddings, hen/stag dos, birthdays, and other celebrations. Regular events including live music, comedy nights, and quiz nights.
4. Trade and Wholesale: B2B sales to trade customers including pubs, restaurants, and venues through trade portal. Distribution of products to venues across Gloucestershire and beyond.
5. Brewery Tours: Popular brewery tours run twice a month offering insight into beer making with guided walk through onsite brewery. Includes beer tasting experience. Tour vouchers available as gift items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gloucester Brewery is a craft brewery and distillery operating from Gloucester Docks, producing a year-round range of multi-award-winning craft beers (including New England IPA, Session IPA, American Pale Ale, Gloucester Gold, Dockside Dark, Craft Tank Lager, Cascade Best Bitter, and Zero Gravity alcohol-free option) plus limited edition and seasonal Beer Specials. Its on-site Fox's Kiln Distillery produces small-batch handcrafted gins, rums (Old Fox Spiced, Cherry), and vodkas/liqueurs. The company also operates the Warehouse 4 taproom, event venue and on-site shop, runs brewery tours, and supplies trade customers through a dedicated wholesale portal and regional venue distribution.

Product overview

Gloucester Brewery operates as an earth-conscious craft brewery and distillery based in Gloucester Docks, producing a portfolio of multi-award-winning beers and Fox's Kiln spirits. The core offerings include the Core Beer Range of year-round craft beers (New England IPA, Session IPA, Zero Gravity alcohol-free option, American Pale Ale, Cascade Best Bitter, Gloucester Gold, Craft Tank Lager, Dockside Dark Porter), Beer Specials comprising limited edition and seasonal releases (Cathedr-Ale, Cheeky Chopper, DIPA, Festival IPAs, Lewis Ludlow Testimonial Beer, Priory Pale Ale, Summer Haze), and the Fox's Kiln Distillery spirits line featuring gins (Classic, Pink, Blood Orange, Rhubarb & Ginger), rums (Old Fox Spiced Rum, Cherry Rum), and vodkas (Charcoal Filtered, flavored liqueurs). The company also operates Warehouse 4, a taproom and entertainment venue at Gloucester Docks, and offers brewery tour experiences. Products are available direct online (nationwide delivery) and at the venue shop, with free shipping on orders over £50.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fox's Kiln: Small-batch handcrafted spirits brand including gins, rums, and vodkas distilled on-site at the Gloucester Docks facility.

Products and services

• Core Beer Range Year-round craft beer range from Gloucester Brewery including New England IPA (ABV 5.2%), Session IPA (ABV 4.5%), Zero Gravity (ABV 0.5%), American Pale Ale (6.4%), Cascade Best Bitter (ABV 4.2%), Gloucester Gold (ABV 3.9%), Craft Tank Lager (ABV 4.5%), and Dockside Dark (ABV 5.2%); many are vegan-friendly and sold as 12x500ml cans.
• Beer Specials Limited edition and seasonal craft beer releases from Gloucester Brewery including Cathedr-Ale, Cheeky Chopper (Alcohol Free IPA), DIPA (7.5%), Festival IPA, Festival Low Alcohol IPA, Lewis Ludlow Testimonial Beer, Priory Pale Ale, and Summer Haze.
• Fox's Kiln Gins Small-batch handcrafted gins distilled at Fox's Kiln Distillery (Gloucester Docks), including Classic Gin, Pink Gin, Blood Orange Gin, Rhubarb & Ginger Gin, and Emily's Gift Gin, inspired by Cotswold heritage with aromatic botanicals in 70cl bottles.
• Fox's Kiln Rums Small-batch rums from Fox's Kiln Distillery including Old Fox Spiced Rum (aged in oak barrels, infused with ten spices, 40% ABV, 70cl) and Cherry Rum, delivering Caribbean-inspired flavors distilled in Gloucester.
• Fox's Kiln Vodkas Smooth vodkas from Fox's Kiln Distillery including Charcoal Filtered Vodka Black (70cl) and flavored vodka liqueurs such as Salted Caramel Vodka Liqueur and Sour Raspberry Vodka Liqueur (both 70cl).
• Warehouse 4 Taproom Gloucester's premier entertainment venue and taproom at Gloucester Docks, featuring a main bar with beers on tap, self-serve mezzanine bar, cocktail bar with Fox's Kiln spirits, regular live music (Friday/Saturday evenings), comedy nights, quiz nights, and rotating pop-up street food vendors.
• Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting Guided brewery tour running twice monthly, offering insight into the beer-making process with a beer in the taproom followed by a walk through the onsite brewery; gift vouchers available at £24 per person.
• Core Range Mix Pack (12x500ml) 12-can mix pack featuring 2 cans each of Session IPA, New England IPA, Gloucester Gold, Dockside Dark, Craft Tank Lager, and Cascade Best Bitter, providing a balanced selection across the core range at £35.
• Core Range 4 Can Mix Pack Four-can assortment allowing customers to sample a selection from the core beer range at a lower price point of £15.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10% of Hollie's Spirit rum sales donated to Hollie Gazzard Trust
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bath Road BeersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 June 2025Collaboration with Cheltenham's renowned independent bottle shop for new product collaboration.
• Maximalist GinminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2025Partnership at prestigious Beaufort Polo Club bringing taster experiences and exclusive offerings.
• Laurence Llewelyn-BowenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2024Collaboration for Maximalist Gin launch in aid of LINC Charity.
• ElmrepminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2024Collaboration for 'Brew and Bravery Firewalk' charity event.
• Hollie Gazzard TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partnership where 10% of 'Hollie's Spirit' rum sales are donated to the trust. Trust helps reduce domestic violence through creating and delivering programmes on domestic abuse and promoting healthy relationships to schools and colleges.
• Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroundbreaking collaboration for 'Cheeky Chopper' alcohol-free IPA with 10% of every sale donated to GWAAC. Collaboration includes unique branding featuring local artist Andy Council's artwork showcasing landmarks in GWAAC's coverage area.
• LINCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner10% of Maximalist gin sales donated to LINC, which provides emotional and financial support to blood cancer patients and their families treated across Gloucestershire's Hospitals.
• Art in the CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreating display space and sales platform for local artists through partnership.
• CALMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health charity partnership supporting mental health initiatives.
• Young GloucesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting local young people through various initiatives.
• Longlevens RFCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal sports club partnership providing support through all levels of local sport.
• Gloucester City AFCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal sports club partnership providing support through all levels of local sport.
• Gloucester RFCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal rugby club partnership providing support through all levels of local sport.
• JOLT GloucesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing exciting events such as Pechakucha to Gloucester.
• TreeAppcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTree planting partner undertaking afforestation and reforestation projects across developing world. Partners with 7 tree planting NGO's to plant trees around the world. Has funded planting of over 140,000+ trees across Africa, Americas, and Asia.
• Spring EnvironmentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelping calculate carbon emissions and create plan to become Net Zero business. Working to create full report on current carbon emissions and reduction plan.
• Vision 21minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGloucestershire-sustainability charity working on an exciting project for Gloucester (details to be announced).
• Smiths of BourtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood vendor partnership for Warehouse 4 events, serving burgers alongside live music evenings.
• BumboominorOthersToilet paper supplier made from rapidly renewable and FSC certified bamboo forests. Partner plants a tree for every box purchased.
• That White RoomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Ukrainian Charity Appeal to supply a vehicle for humanitarian efforts.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bristol Beer Factory: Independently-owned South West craft brewery with brewery taproom, brewery tours and trade/wholesale supply — same regional craft-beer DNA as Gloucester Brewery with overlapping trade customer base.
• Wye Valley Brewery: Herefordshire craft brewery of similar vintage and size, focused on cask and bottled ales with on-site experience. Comparable independently-owned UK regional craft peer close to the South West.
• Thornbridge Brewery: Derbyshire-based craft brewery with brewery taproom, tours, events and mixed trade/DTC distribution. Closely comparable on experience-led, award-winning craft model.
• Loddon Brewery: Berkshire independent craft brewery with on-site taproom, food events and trade sales. Comparable independent craft scale and on-site experience approach.
• Bath Road Beers: Independent Cheltenham bottle shop/brewery collaborator referenced by Gloucester Brewery as a partnership. Similar microbrewery scale and Gloucestershire/Cotswold regional overlap.
• St Austell Brewery: Cornish regional brewery combining brewing, multiple on-site pub/hotel venues, brewery tours and trade distribution — directly comparable on the multi-channel craft-with-hospitality model.
• Adnams: Suffolk-based brewery and distillery with brewery tours, taproom, on-site experiences and an in-house spirits range. Closest model match to Gloucester Brewery: small-scale brewing + in-house distillery + taproom + tours + DTC.
• Hawkshead Brewery: Cumbrian craft brewery with on-site taproom, brewery tours and direct-to-consumer sales. Similar independent craft scale and experience-led GTM to Gloucester Brewery.
• Purity Brewing: Warwickshire craft brewery with sustainability positioning, on-site taproom and trade distribution across UK. Comparable in scale, eco-conscious identity and brewery + on-site experience model.

Broad incumbents

• Shepherd Neame: Long-established Kentish brewer operating brewery tours, on-site experiences and a multi-channel trade network. Larger and broader portfolio but overlapping on brewing + visitor-experience + multi-channel craft-led GTM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gloucesterbreweryuk
• Xx.com/GBrewery
• Facebookfacebook.com/gloucesterbrewery
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gloucester-brewery-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gloucester Brewery