Merry Christmas. Thanks for a hell of a year!

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year where I write a little reflection post on the months gone by. I haven’t been able to do this quite as much as I’d like this year but such is the whirlwind of life. It’s been a bit of a mad one once again and at times this year, like always, I’ve had moments where I’ve questioned whether it was really worth it or not. As I sit on the sofa, with the seasonal sniffles, I can reflect on that question with a smile on my face.

Roadhouse Blues West Coast Pale Ale

Was it worth it? Of course, it absolutely unquestionably was.

2025 has been a year of growth for the brewery. Back in January (which seems like a lifetime ago now) we took a trip to Lyme Regis Brewery to pick up a new Unitank which allowed us to double up our production capacity on bigger batches. Think brewing over a Saturday and a Sunday rather than just being confined to one weekend brew like we were last year.

So what has that meant for our output this year? Well whilst we’re closing out the year on fewer brew days than last (24 vs 29). The can seamer is sat at 7,998 cans packaged, so by my reckoning that’s about 200 cans or so more packaged than last year. Moreso with a bigger brewing capacity we have been able to produce much more beer per brew day this year than last and for the first time we have packaged a whole lot of that into keg too.

All of that kegged beer has been served to you thirsty lot via our craft bar, another new investment for us this year. We’ve been out and about with it at events serving our beer on draught for the very first time. In total, our beer has been sold and served across 34 event days this year and in four fantastically supportive stockists. You can now find our beer in Lower Clopton Farm Shop, The Poppin (Long Marston), Stratford Garden Centre and now Warwick Garden Centre too.

The good news? With more beer produced we haven’t actually sold out like we did last year. So there’s more to serve you either through the festive season or into the new year. Watch out for a cheeky little (and I mean little) sale in January too.

Now don’t get me wrong, our revenues tiny! However all of that means increases in sales year on year and fractionally more money sat in the pot right now compared to the same time last year. That’s money we can reinvest to continue to grow the brewery as we head into 2026.

As for what 2026 holds? Well, we don’t quite know if we’re honest.

We’ll be getting the craft bar back out that’s for sure and hope it can make appearances at some more events in the coming year. We’ve got plans so adapt some recipes and to launch some new beers too. New collaborations are in the pipeline, including spicy and sweet beers so look out for those and I’m absolutely sure there will be more things to come as the year unfolds.

For now I’m not thinking about that. It’s been a hell of a 12 months, for the brewery and beyond it our whirlwind lives. Now it’s time to put our feet up for a few days and enjoy the festive frivolity.

All that is left to say is thank you. Thank you to you all for your incredible support this year. It keeps us going and it drives us on to do more. First rest. Then we go again.

Cheers and a very Merry Christmas to you all!

Oli & Azzie x