St Austell Brewery

What St Austell Brewery does

St Austell Brewery is a family-owned independent brewing and hospitality company founded in 1851 in St Austell, Cornwall, and still operating today from the Trevarthian Road site it has occupied since 1893. The business is vertically integrated across three units: brewing (a Victorian brewhouse in Cornwall plus the Hare Brewery in Bristol acquired with Bath Ales in 2016 and the Small Batch Brewery launched in 2018), wholesale drinks distribution via five regional distribution centres (St Columb, Heathfield, Wimborne, Ilfracombe and Avonmouth) supplying 2,000+ hospitality trade customers, and a pub estate of 160+ sites across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset - 45 directly managed and 120+ tenanted or leased through independent business partners. Exports ship to 20+ countries and an e-commerce shop serves UK direct consumers.

The core product range spans award-winning cask and packaged ales and lagers: Tribute Pale Ale (the flagship, originally brewed as Daylight Robbery in 1999), Proper Job IPA, korev Lager, Anthem Session Pale Ale, Big Job Double IPA (7.2% ABV), Mena Dhu Stout, Hicks Special Draught, Cornish Best and Proper Job 0.5% low-alcohol. The Cask Club sub-brand releases limited-edition small-batch brews into select pubs. The company is registered in England and Wales as St Austell Brewery Company Limited, is privately held by the Hicks family, and currently employs over 2,000 people across the South West.

Revenue is generated through three principal mechanics: transaction-fee retail and food-and-drink sales across managed pubs; recurring tenant/supply fees from 120+ business partners who purchase beer through the brewery as part of their lease arrangements; and trade wholesale supply of own-brand beers plus complementary wines, spirits and soft drinks to hospitality operators. Pricing is largely transactional and quote-based at the trade level, with unit pricing on brewery tours and direct e-commerce sales to consumers. Brand investment is anchored in sustainability under the 'Crafting a Brighter Future' programme, with documented milestones of 100% renewable electricity, 50% waste reduction since 2023, and 100% food waste diversion across the 45 managed pubs, alongside a Charitable Trust that has distributed over £1.5m to South West communities since 2003.

Name

St Austell Brewery

Legal name

St Austell Brewery Company Limited

Website

https://staustellbrewery.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1851

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

St Austell Brewery is a family-owned independent regional brewer, wholesale drinks distributor and pub operator founded in 1851, vertically integrated across brewing, trade supply and a 160+ pub estate across the South West of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brewing and Pub Hospitality

NAICS

Breweries (312120), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (42481), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD), Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits) (AFAIAGAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Pub hospitality
• Drinks wholesale
• Cask ales
• Regional brewery

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Austell

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Managed Pub Operations: Revenue from 45 directly managed pubs providing food, drink, and accommodation services across the South West. Includes bar sales, restaurant revenue, and room bookings.
2. Wholesale Drinks Distribution: Supply of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks to 2,000+ hospitality businesses across the South West. Distribution through strategically located centres in St Columb, Heathfield, Wimborne, Ilfracombe, and Avonmouth.
3. Business Partner Tenancies: Over 120 independent licensees operate pubs under leased and tenanted arrangements, paying rent and purchasing beer through the brewery.
4. E-commerce Direct Sales: Online shop selling beers, merchandise and gift vouchers directly to consumers across the UK.
5. Brewery Tours and Experiences: Tours of Victorian brewery and Hicks Bar provide experiential revenue. Tours run twice daily, six days a week with limited spaces.
6. National Sales and Export: Partnership with wholesale distributors across the UK to supply St Austell Brewery beers nationally. Export services ship to customers in over 20 countries globally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

St Austell Brewery is a family-owned regional brewer and pub operator that manufactures and sells a portfolio of cask ales, IPAs, lagers and stouts (including Tribute, Proper Job, korev, Mena Dhu, Hicks Special Draught, Cornish Best, Anthem, Big Job and Proper Job 0.5%) from its Victorian brewhouse in St Austell and the Hare Brewery in Bristol. It operates over 160 managed and tenanted pubs across the South West, runs a wholesale drinks distribution business supplying 2,000+ hospitality customers, and exports to 20+ countries.

Product overview

St Austell Brewery is a family-owned brewing and hospitality company founded in 1851, operating as a unified platform of beer brands, pub estates, and wholesale distribution services. The core product portfolio centers on award-winning beers including Tribute Pale Ale (flagship), Proper Job IPA, korev Lager, Mena Dhu Stout, Hicks Special Draught, Cornish Best, Anthem Session Pale Ale, Big Job Double IPA, and Proper Job 0.5% (low-alcohol variant). The Cask Club sub-brand offers limited-edition experimental brews through select pubs. Hospitality operations include 160+ managed and tenanted pubs across the South West with accommodation options, complemented by wholesale drinks distribution supplying 2,000+ customers. Brewery tourism is supported through Hicks Bar and tours at the historic St Austell site and Hare Brewery in Bristol. A charitable trust supports South West communities, and sustainability initiatives branded as 'Crafting a Brighter Future' underpin operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cask Club: Exclusive club showcasing innovative, limited-edition cask ales from the small-batch brewery, served in select pubs across the South West.
• Celtic Beer Festival

Products and services

• Tribute Pale Ale Flagship pale ale brewed with Cornish Gold malt and UK/USA hops, featuring bright notes of orange and grapefruit balanced by a malty base; the brewery's signature product for both on-trade and off-trade customers.
• Proper Job IPA Authentic IPA with bold citrus character (grapefruit, pineapple and zesty orange), a solid malty backbone and crisp bitter finish, available in cask, keg, bottle and can formats.
• korev Lager Pale gold Cornish lager brewed with Saaz, Hersbrucker and Magnum hops, delivering delicate bitterness and subtle floral notes, positioned for consumers seeking an adventure-led lager.
• Mena Dhu Stout Velvety, full-bodied stout with delicate oak-smoked aroma and dark chocolate notes, named after founder Walter Hicks' family farm in Luxulyan ('Mena Dhu' meaning 'black hill' in Cornish).
• Hicks Special Draught Traditional strong Cornish ale named after founder Walter Hicks, with warming toffee and raisin aromas, a rich fruity biscuit palate and a robust finish.
• Cornish Best Low ABV traditional Best Bitter with a full-bodied and well-balanced taste, toffee and biscuit notes complemented by a hint of bitterness.
• Anthem Session Pale Ale Session pale ale brewed with 100% British ingredients including four British-grown hop varieties (Target, Olicana, Jester and Harlequin) for fresh fruit flavours.
• Big Job Double IPA Bold Double IPA at 7.2% ABV with large hop quantities delivering tropical grapefruit and juicy blackcurrant flavours; multi-award winning across CAMRA and the World Beer Awards.
• Proper Job 0.5% Low-alcohol Proper Job IPA variant at 0.5% ABV featuring Cascade and Chinook hops for pineapple and grapefruit notes and a smooth malty sweetness.
• Cask Club Exclusive programme of innovative, limited-edition cask ales from the Small Batch Brewery, served in select St Austell Brewery pubs across the South West; 2026 lineup includes Beer Suzette, Panorama Ridge, Whoopsie Daisy, Dialled In and Mind the Gap.
• Pubs & Rooms (Managed and Tenanted Pub Estate) Hospitality division operating over 160 characterful inns, pubs and hotels across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, comprising 45 directly managed pubs plus 120+ leased and tenanted business partner pubs offering food, drink and accommodation (including dog-friendly stays).
• Wholesale Drinks Supply Composite drinks wholesale distribution service supplying thousands of pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels across the South West from distribution centres in St Columb, Heathfield, Wimborne, Ilfracombe and Avonmouth, with a 24/7 online ordering platform and dedicated account support. Portfolio spans craft ales, fine wines, premium spirits and everyday essentials.
• Hicks Bar & Brewery Shop On-site brewery visitor experience at the St Austell brewery offering twice-daily brewery tours, freshly poured pints, restaurant dining with locally sourced ingredients, and a retail shop selling take-home beers.
• E-commerce Beer and Gift Shop Direct-to-consumer online shop (staustellbreweryshop.co.uk) selling St Austell Brewery beers, branded merchandise and gift vouchers with UK-wide home delivery, complemented by a separate gift voucher platform at gift.staustellbreweryshop.co.uk.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% total waste reduction since 2023
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• BiffacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Waste management partnership for waste reduction scheme across managed pubs. Collaboration aims to cut general waste by 80% with plans to expand across other facilities.
• Children's Hospice South WestflagshipOthers · 1 January 2025Charity of the Year partnership ahead of 175th anniversary celebrations. Reflects commitment to supporting communities around pubs, breweries and depots through fundraising initiatives and colleague-led activities.
• SEDEXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Achieved 100% food supplier registration on SEDEX platform in 2025, strengthening transparency and ethical oversight across supplier network.
• South West Coast Path AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership positioning St Austell Brewery pubs as waymaker locations along the 630-mile South West Coast Path National Trail.
• Sustainable Partner Charter PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sustainable Partner Charter established for business partners to embed sustainability within partner onboarding and operations.
• National Wholesale DistributorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of wholesale distributors across the UK delivering the same quality, care and service as the South West operation.
• Bath AlescoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerAcquired in 2016, Bath Ales brings additional brewery capacity and brand portfolio including Hare Brewery.
• Brian Ethrington Meat Co.coreOthersLocal meat supplier delivering to pubs across the region, featured in Taste of the South West programme.
• Tarquin's DistillerycoreOthersCornish gin distillery supplying spirits featured in pubs, creating local partnership showcasing South West producers.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Greene King: One of the UK's largest regional brewers and pub operators, combining brewing (IPA, Abbot Ale) with a 2,700+ managed and tenanted pub estate. Directly comparable vertically integrated model with national scale.
• Marston's PLC: Major UK regional brewer and pub operator with brands including Marston's Pedigree, Wainwright and Banks's, operating ~1,400 pubs. Closest publicly listed comparable for combined brewing + pub estate economics.

Direct peers

• Fuller's (Fuller, Smith & Turner): London-based regional brewer of London Pride with a managed and tenanted pub estate across the South of England. Highly comparable premium-craft regional brewer with pub retail integration.
• Shepherd Neame: Britain's oldest brewer (1698), family-owned, producing Spitfire and Bishop's Finger with a Southeast-focused managed and tenanted pub estate. Closest direct analogue on family-owned regional brewer + pub operator profile.
• Wadworth & Co: Family-owned regional Wiltshire brewer of 6X and Wadworth beers with a ~200 pub managed and tenanted estate. Direct comparable on size, ownership structure and South of England pub-brewer integration.
• Robinsons Brewery: Family-owned regional brewer founded 1838 in Cheshire with a portfolio including Unicorn and Trooper, and a 250+ pub estate. Comparable on heritage, family ownership and integrated pub-brewer model.
• Thwaites Brewery: Lancashire-based family-owned regional brewer (Wainwright, Thwaites Original) with a 300+ pub managed and tenanted estate. Direct comparable on family-owned regional brewer + pub operator profile.
• Adnams PLC: Suffolk-based brewer and hospitality group producing Ghost Ship and Sole Bay, with hotels, pubs and retail. Comparable on regional brewer + integrated hospitality/retail mix.

Emerging players

• Sharp's Brewery: Cornwall-based craft brewer of Doom Bar, now owned by Molson Coors. Directly comparable on geographic overlap in the South West and craft-cask focus, but operates at a different scale and under corporate ownership.
• BrewDog: Large UK craft brewer with ~100 own-brand bars and global distribution. Comparable on craft positioning, on-trade bar footprint and DTC e-commerce, but operates as a national disruptor rather than regional brewer.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/st_austell_brewery
• Xx.com/staustellbrew
• Facebookfacebook.com/481783795548901
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-austell-brewery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 St Austell Brewery