Latest Simon Buckley column from the Journal
The latest Iechyd Da beer column written by Llandeilo brewer Simon Buckley in the Carmarthen Journal -
It is now a year since this column first appeared, and in that short time we have seen a massive change in the marketplace and a change in the levels of tax we have to pay.
Perhaps it is time to reflect on some of the issues of the last year?
Like every other business in the UK we have seen our base costs shoot through the roof, fuel is now a major issue, as are utilities. Were I a sensitive soul, I would probably think that the brewing Armageddon is just round the corner!
It’s not - and now is not a time for turning and giving up.
Quite the opposite, now is the time for the determined and most professional of our industry to decide a course for survival and the development of a plan that sees ‘Local’ become essential.
Since our success in the International Brewing Awards, our phone has been red hot with every national pub company wanting this beer called Cwrw.
Some, I am afraid, are going to have to wait for the experience. We have loyal local customers who want more, and they will get it.
Our plan for the future is simple: continue to brew award-winning ale and to make sure we never lose sight of our customer, the consumer, and what they want.
We are going to focus on, our south and west Wales roots and to make sure that we can supply our beers to those that want them.
My trip to America in December has converted to a new supply contract which, hopefully, will see Cwrw become the Independence ale of the states, available throughout the Union.
On St David’s Day, I was invited to supply beer for the annual CAMRA House of Commons beer tasting. We were the only Welsh brewer to be asked and one of only six in the country.
As it was St David’s Day, we provided Dewi Sant, our beer that we brew each year for St. David’s Day, which was drunk by the great and the good from the House of Lords, as well as us commoners!
I was delighted to see that the Welsh contingent of MPs and Noble Lords celebrated our national day drinking a Welsh ale.
What was reassuring was that the beer seemed to cross the political divide with me being greeted by the honourable member for Caerphilly clutching a glass of our beer!
Evan-Evans was, once again, on the national stage of brewing.
This year sees us start the celebration that culminate in June next year of 245 years of family brewing. I, for one, want to see 2011 be a successful year for us and an enjoyable one for our consumers.
It is now a year since this column first appeared, and in that short time we have seen a massive change in the marketplace and a change in the levels of tax we have to pay.
Perhaps it is time to reflect on some of the issues of the last year?
Like every other business in the UK we have seen our base costs shoot through the roof, fuel is now a major issue, as are utilities. Were I a sensitive soul, I would probably think that the brewing Armageddon is just round the corner!
It’s not - and now is not a time for turning and giving up.
Quite the opposite, now is the time for the determined and most professional of our industry to decide a course for survival and the development of a plan that sees ‘Local’ become essential.
Since our success in the International Brewing Awards, our phone has been red hot with every national pub company wanting this beer called Cwrw.
Some, I am afraid, are going to have to wait for the experience. We have loyal local customers who want more, and they will get it.
Our plan for the future is simple: continue to brew award-winning ale and to make sure we never lose sight of our customer, the consumer, and what they want.
We are going to focus on, our south and west Wales roots and to make sure that we can supply our beers to those that want them.
My trip to America in December has converted to a new supply contract which, hopefully, will see Cwrw become the Independence ale of the states, available throughout the Union.
On St David’s Day, I was invited to supply beer for the annual CAMRA House of Commons beer tasting. We were the only Welsh brewer to be asked and one of only six in the country.
As it was St David’s Day, we provided Dewi Sant, our beer that we brew each year for St. David’s Day, which was drunk by the great and the good from the House of Lords, as well as us commoners!
I was delighted to see that the Welsh contingent of MPs and Noble Lords celebrated our national day drinking a Welsh ale.
What was reassuring was that the beer seemed to cross the political divide with me being greeted by the honourable member for Caerphilly clutching a glass of our beer!
Evan-Evans was, once again, on the national stage of brewing.
This year sees us start the celebration that culminate in June next year of 245 years of family brewing. I, for one, want to see 2011 be a successful year for us and an enjoyable one for our consumers.
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