Production Moved to Scotland
Drinks giant BrewDog has announced the permanent closure of its Hawkes cidery and taproom on the iconic beer mile in Bermondsey, London. Production of Hawkes' ciders will now take place at BrewDog's main brewery in Ellon, Scotland.
Reasons for Closure
In a statement to its "equity punk" investors, BrewDog cited reasons such as rampant inflation, soaring utility costs, and the relentless cost of living pressures for the closure of the site.
Closure Impact on Bermondsey Beer Mile
The Hawkes cidery and taproom, which offered 16 ciders, was located on Druid St in Bermondsey, known for its popular "Bermondsey beer mile". BrewDog explained that the slowdown in trade on the beer mile, along with significant rent increases, led to the decision to permanently close the taproom.
Brand Continues in Other Locations
Despite the closure of the Bermondsey site, BrewDog assured fans that Hawkes would still be part of the BrewDog family and available in its bars, across the on-trade, and online. The company also stated its intention to relaunch a cider-focused venue in another location in the city in the future.
Background on Hawkes and BrewDog
Hawkes was founded by Simon Wright in 2013 and was acquired by BrewDog in 2018. Wright left BrewDog in October 2020. BrewDog's co-founder and CEO, James Watt, admitted to moving production of cider to Scotland, which was criticized for "ripping the soul" out of the cider business. However, production was later moved back to Bermondsey.
BrewDog's Other Initiatives
BrewDog, known for its extensive chain of pubs in the UK, recently announced a nationwide amnesty on its "most stolen" Hazy Jane glasses, encouraging pub-goers to return them to a BrewDog pub for a free refill. The company also made headlines with its beer-scented deodorant released for Father's Day.
Source: [Original Article]
