29/10/2026
Sometimes, running a small brewery, you do wonder: why even bother?
Everyone deserves a decent wage, and seeing wages rise should be good news. But when small businesses are already battling rising costs, finding the money becomes another challenge. We absorb what we can, but eventually some of it has to reach the price at the bar.
Then customers pay more, their extra wages don’t stretch as far, and we’re still struggling to keep the business going. It can feel like a smoke screen: the headline celebrates more money in your pocket, while the bills quietly swallow it.
B**r duty is set to rise again from February 2027. There is additional Small Producer Relief, which is welcome, but duty is only one part of the picture. Ingredients, electricity, rent, wages, insurance, maintenance and all the little costs still need paying.
So how much of a £5 pint could actually be left?
Our illustration shows one possible breakdown, leaving just 30p operating profit before corporation tax. These are example figures, not our actual accounts, but they show how a £5 sale can leave very little once everything is covered.
We want to pay people properly, keep our b**r affordable and build a brewery that has a future. Making those three things work together is getting harder.
Thank you to everyone who keeps supporting small independent breweries and pubs. Every visit helps keep the b**r flowing and the doors open.
