Monty's Brewery

What Monty's Brewery does

Monty's Brewery is a privately held Welsh craft brewery founded in 2009 by Russ and Pam Honeyman, operating from a single site in Montgomery, Powys, on the Powys/Shropshire border. The brewery produces a 13-SKU portfolio spanning golden ales, IPAs, stouts, bitters, and lagers, distributed in bottles, cans, cask, keg, and key-keg formats. Its principal technical differentiator is a proprietary enzyme-based gluten-removal process that allows traditional barley/wheat brewing while delivering laboratory-tested gluten levels below 20 ppm, giving it a distinctive position in the gluten-free craft segment.

Monty's makes money across five streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (UK home delivery and a brewery shop), a £27/month Monty's Beer Club subscription, on-trade sales to UK pubs and bars, wholesale through 15+ named UK regional distributors, and international export via partners in Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Singapore. The company is SALSA-accredited and has accumulated an extensive award record across CAMRA, SIBA, Great Taste, the European Beer Challenge, and Untappd, including a 2025 CAMRA Champion Bottled Beer of Britain win.

In September 2024, Ubuntu Holdings Ltd (led by entrepreneur Mike Harris) acquired a 51% majority stake, marking the company's first material external capital event and signaling a shift from regional craft operator to a UK- and export-scale platform. Subsequent moves — non-alcoholic launch, Red IPA product launch, a national retail listing with S Group/Prisma in Finland, and a 2026 partnership with Welsh Government and FDQ on a Level 4 Brewing Diploma — are consistent with that scaling agenda.

Name

Monty's Brewery

Legal name

Monty's Brewery

Website

https://montysbrewery.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Monty's Brewery is a multi-award-winning Welsh craft brewery founded in 2009, producing traditional and gluten-free real ales for UK consumers, on-trade hospitality, and international export markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer / Real Ale Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Gluten-free ales
• Beer subscription
• Welsh brewery
• Real ale production

Headquarters

HQ city

Montgomery

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Online direct-to-consumer sales through their website shop for bottled, canned beer and merchandise with home delivery across the UK.
2. Beer Subscription (Monty's Beer Club): Monthly subscription box delivering 9 selected Monty beers each month, including early access to new brews. Gluten-free option available.
3. Wholesale/Distribution: Sales to distribution partners across Wales, UK regions, and international markets (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands).
4. Trade/On-Trade: Sales to pubs, bars, and hospitality venues through their trade channel.
5. Brewery Shop Retail: Physical retail sales at their brewery location in Montgomery, Powys.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Monty's Brewery produces and sells a multi-award-winning portfolio of real ales and gluten-free beers across 13+ styles including IPAs, golden ales, stouts, lagers, and bitters. Beers are brewed using traditional methods combined with a proprietary enzyme-based gluten removal process achieving below 20 ppm gluten levels. Products are sold direct-to-consumer via an online shop and brewery shop, through a monthly Beer Club subscription, and via a network of UK and international distribution partners serving both on-trade (pubs/bars) and off-trade retail.

Product overview

Monty's Brewery is a multi-award-winning Welsh brewery producing real ales and gluten-free beers. Their core product portfolio consists of 13 distinct beer styles including IPAs (Red IPA, Hazy IPA), golden ales (Sunshine, Mischief, Masquerade, Galaeth, Simcoe Sun), stouts (Dark Secret, Gwyn A Du), British bitter (Malties, MPA), and lagers (Lager, Helles). The brewery is particularly renowned for its gluten-free range, using an enzyme process to break down gluten to below 20ppm. The product ecosystem is complemented by a monthly Beer Club subscription service and gift/mixed case offerings. Beers are available in multiple formats: bottles, cans, cask, keg, and key keg.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunshine A 4.2% golden ale packed with floral and citrus aromas from cascade hops with a distinctive dry finish; the brewery's most popular signature brew and best-seller since 2009. Available in cask and bottles. 12x500ml case priced at £37.50.
• Mischief A 5% British-style strong golden ale that is refreshing and easily quaffable with great balance of malts and hops and a slight sweetness in the finish. Available in cask and bottles. 12x500ml case priced at £38.45.
• Gwyn A Du A smooth easy-drinking traditional Welsh stout with gentle sweet finish, brewed with Dragon hops for soft bitterness; 4.0% ABV gluten-free. Available in kegs, cans, and bottles.
• Dark Secret A rich full-bodied gluten-free oatmeal stout at 5.5% ABV with hints of chocolate and coffee flavours; the brewery's most awarded beer winning Great Taste 3 Gold Stars twice and multiple international medals.
• Masquerade A premium gluten-free golden ale with tropical fruit flavours and distinctive hop aroma from Simcoe and Cascade hops at 4.6% ABV; Silver at International Beer Challenge and listed in 66 Prisma hypermarkets in Finland.
• Galaeth A 4.0% gluten-free golden ale full of tropical fruit aromas including passion fruit and pineapple from Simcoe, Mosaic and Citra hops with bitter finish.
• Lager A traditional lager brewed with Hersbrucker hops and lager malt, very lightly hopped with bittersweet finish and pale in colour. Available in keg.
• Hazy IPA A 4.6% hazy gold IPA packed with Mosaic and Citra hops delivering fruity and juicy tropical flavours, light and refreshing. Available in keg and occasional cask.
• Helles A pale straw lager made with traditional lager malts, Vienna and Munich, with Hersbrucker and Tettnang hops and a hint of sweetness on finish. Available in keg.
• Red IPA A 4.2% gluten-free Red IPA with malt characteristics from crystal, chocolate and black malts, punch of hops from Mosaic and Jester, perfect bitterness and intense hop aromas. Available in cask and bottles. Won Gold in Wales and West SIBA competition and Gold at European Beer Challenge Session IPA 2025.
• Malties A copper-coloured gluten-free ale with gentle toffee notes from carefully selected barley and a warm rounded character at 4% ABV.
• MPA A blonde ale brewed using Maris Otter barley with gentle malt flavours and soft hop aromas with hints of grapefruit and lychee. Available in cask.
• Simcoe Sun A 4.6% summer session ale packed with Jester, Mosaic and Simcoe hops — fruity and punchy, perfect for BBQ and beer gardens. Available for trade.
• Monty's Beer Club Monthly beer subscription box delivering 9 selected Monty beers each month including core range and seasonal specials, with early access to new brews. Gluten-free option available. £27 every month.
• 3 Beers Gift Box Selection of Monty beers in a presentation gift box, available as 3 Best Sellers, 3 Gluten Free, or mixed options; ideal gift for real ale fans.
• Mixed Beer Case Selection of Monty beers available as 12-bottle case, 12-bottle Gluten Free case, or 'The Full Monty' 11-bottle case with branded pint glass and bottle opener.
• Mixed Beer Case With Snacks Party box with 10 Monty beers paired with Welsh snacks including Jones o Gymru crisps, popcorn, fudge, bara brith, and pork scratchings. Gluten-free option available.
• Non-alcoholic beer A non-alcoholic beer added to the Monty’s range in 2024, broadening the portfolio for alcohol-free and lower-alcohol consumption occasions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gluten-free certification with gluten levels below 20 ppm through enzyme treatment

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Welsh Government Drinks ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2026Partnership to develop and deliver the new Level 4 Brewing Diploma. Monty’s contributed to working group shaping the qualification for brewing science, quality control, and sustainability.
• FDQcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2026Food & Drink Qualifications Ltd - specialist awarding organisation developing the Level 4 Brewing Diploma in partnership with Welsh Government and MEDR Cymru.
• MEDR CymrucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 April 2026Welsh Government partner in the Level 4 Brewing Diploma initiative for advanced brewer training and skills development.
• Ystwyth AlescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelsh regional distribution partner for cask, keg, and bottles covering West and South West Wales.
• Battlefield BeerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-wide distribution partner handling cask, keg, and bottles.
• Blas Ar FwydcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWelsh food and drink distributor partner.
• Taste MerchantscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner covering Wales and The Midlands region.
• Castell HowellcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Welsh and North West food service distributor.
• Craft DrinkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distribution partner covering Staffordshire, West Midlands, Cotswolds, Berkshire, Bucks, Oxfordshire.
• Brewers WholesalecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distribution partner for West Midlands and Cheshire.
• Beer TradingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK distribution partner covering Manchester, Wirral, Staffordshire, Cheshire, North Wales, Shropshire.
• Best of British BeersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-wide online beer retailer partner.
• Vino FinocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinnish import and distribution partner for worldwide export.
• Gourmet ImportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorwegian import and distribution partner for worldwide export.
• S Group (Finland)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinland's largest grocery retailer with 66 Prisma hypermarkets. Monty Masquerade listed in stores nationwide.
• Ingredient SupplierscoreOthersKey ingredient and packaging suppliers: Atwell Labeller, Reel Label Solutions, Crisp maltings, Murphy and sons, Charles Faram, Thomas Fawcetts, Sandland Packaging, Jars and Bottles.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tiny Rebel Brewing Co: Welsh craft brewery with multi-style portfolio including IPAs, stouts, and lagers, operating through D2C, on-trade, and UK distribution. Closest UK/Welsh peer to Monty's by geography, scale, and craft positioning.
• Innis & Gunn: Scottish craft brewer of distinctive alers and lagers, including a notable original and rum-finished range, sold extensively through UK supermarkets and export markets. Comparable on multi-SKU craft brand marketed at premium off-trade.
• Camden Town Brewery: London-based craft brewery with lagers, IPAs, and stouts distributed across UK on-trade and off-trade. Comparable craft play with similar product breadth, though materially larger scale.
• Thornbridge Brewery: Derbyshire craft brewery with multi-award-winning IPAs, stouts, and pale ales sold through UK pubs, wholesalers, and D2C. Direct comparable on awards-driven premium craft positioning.
• Wrexham Lager: Historic Welsh lager brewery based in Wrexham with D2C shop, on-trade, and export distribution. Directly comparable Welsh heritage brewery at similar scale to Monty's.
• Harbour Brewing Co: Independent Cornish craft brewer offering IPAs, lagers, and seasonal specials distributed through UK on-trade and off-trade. Similar craft premium profile and D2C orientation to Monty's.
• Five Points Brewing: East London craft microbrewery producing award-winning pale ales, IPAs, and stouts, distributed through UK pubs and direct online sales. Similar craft scale and channel mix to Monty's.

Broad incumbents

• BrewDog: UK's largest craft brewer operating globally with extensive D2C, pub estate, and supermarket distribution. Competes with Monty's across craft IPAs, lagers, and on-trade contracts but at vastly greater scale.
• St Austell Brewery: Family-rooted South West England brewery offering cask ales, lagers, and ciders through UK on-trade, off-trade, and own pub estate. Comparable regional heritage brewer with multi-channel distribution.
• Heineken UK: UK arm of global brewer with mainstream and craft-acquired brands (e.g. Beavertown, Lagunitas) competing for the same on-trade shelves and pub taps as Monty's. Incumbent with overlapping craft portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/montysbrewery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Monty's Brewery