Wriggle Valley Brewery

23/06/2024

Here's what's going on at the former site of WVB... Looking good!

19/04/2024

That WAS Wriggle Valley Brewery.
Tl;dr "I worked hard, but not hard enough. Not at the right things."

A tough 3 1/2 years for me. As you all know I took this business over during the pandemic; and things have never been the same since. Attitudes to drinking, Pub culture/attendance, the cost of literally everything!..
But it's not all that, it's been me; I've not enjoyed it. My passion waned after the first 6 weeks of doing this alone; lockdowns, working alone, the stress of dealing with HMRC & local councils, licenses etc. I only kept it going because friends said I should. But I hated every minute.
The thing most people don't realise is, I NEVER PAID MYSELF a single penny from this business; In fact, I'm personally £8,000 in debt for the privilege (and another £20,000 for the equipment) I guess you could say it's been the most financially (as well as mentally, emotionally and physically) ruinous 'hobby' I've ever had. I've also managed to wreck personal relationships and it's not been worth the heartache.

I worked hard, but not hard enough. Not at the right things.

I've met some great, genuine people though. Supplied some amazing pubs (I'll visit them all again soon, I'm sure). So it's not all doom and gloom!
.For me? now? Well, I've still got the equipment and may start up again; on a small scale, just supplying casks to pubs. But most importantly, I'm back to what I know; serving beer! I'm still running the cellar at The Benett Arms, in Semley and we know how to keep a pint! (you'd think I'd know by now)

Thank you all for keeping me upright for the past few years.
Maybe see you again.
Matt 🍺

26/02/2024

Tl;dr - people aren't going to the pub as much because lockdown changed our social habits (also everything costs more and the breweries are the ones absorbing the costs)

Really worth a read to why and what's happening to this country's pubs & breweries.

When we look at the reasons given over the past two or so years a few things seem to crop up again and again, usually “cost of living crisis” and “rising costs” but there’s more to it than that, es…

17/01/2024

CLOSING DOWN
Evening Wrigglers,
Sorry it's late, but happy 2024! It's a leap year so we can enjoy 366 days of it. Last Friday I brewed our 366th brew (nice segue) which happened to be Dorset Pilgrim; our flagship best bitter.

THIS was Wriggle Valley Brewery's LAST ever brew.

I'll be here until the end of February before shutting up shop. Still serving beer by the pint or takeaway (until you drink it all!) but come March, there will be no brewery in Stalbridge.

Thank you for your continued support; and I'll let you know when we have a 'drink the place dry' week.. I mean, after all this time I might at least be able to organise a piss-up in a brewery 🍺
See you there. Matt

01/12/2023

It's December. It's Meteorological Winter. It's bloody cold. It's time for some warming MULLED CIDER🍎 £2.50 a glass!

We're now selling mulled cider in the taproom for the whole of December made with deliciously local Laycock Cider... Oh and don't forget we've still got beer 🍺

01/12/2023

MERCH DROP (as the trendy people say)
100% COTTON, embroidered polo t-shirts.
available in Black or Green M-XXL. £20 each.
Just in time for Christmas. Suits you!

27/11/2023

Whether the weather is fine or whether the weather is not; we're certain however.. that Golden Bear will always be welcome 🐻🍺

27/11/2023

New owners at The Doghouse, pleased to see they're getting a Wriggle on.

Friday? Why not Wriggle it Wriggle valley brewery just a little bit? Valley Gold now ready for your glass...

14/11/2023

The Giant Dongle is the magazine they're referring to, published by West Dorset CAMRA; and I know they're always looking after their members...

Does the Cerne Abbas giant represent a display of toxic masculinity? ❓Andrew Doyle, Bruce Devlin, and Francis Foster react to critics claiming the ancient na...

13/11/2023

Hi Folks, I'm kinda stuck with the future of Wriggle Valley Brewery at the moment..

This November marks 3 years since I took over running the brewery from Chris. Just as we entered the second lockdown; not ideal, but I managed to get through the Winter of 2020/21.

However, this Winter feels like it will be even tougher. Seeing a lot of pubs around me completely dead, and the cost of everything is just bonkers.
I'm getting overwhelmed and can't afford to keep going as I am.

There is potentially still a viable business here, but I've kinda hit a brick wall and I've lost passion & purpose.

I don't know whether to ask for help, start again, sell the brewery (note it does need a little investment) or just pack it all in completely. Oh, to wriggle on or wriggle out??

I'll be here until the end of the year at least and I'm still brewing so there's still beer for now.

This is just something I've been thinking about for a while now. Thanks for listening. Suggestions welcome.
Matt

26/10/2023

We're looking forward to this.
A great selection of beers... Oh and we managed to sneak our Hinton Hiker ESB in there somewhere!
See you there Saturday🍺

Glasses & beer have arrived

13/10/2023

It may be Friday the 13th but there's nothing unlucky about this lot.
TWO seasonal beers now on at the taproom:
Hinton Hiker ESB 5.4% (also in bottles) and Mild One 3.8%.
We've been waiting all summer for these. It must be Autumn 🍂