Exmoor Ales is forced to move its brewing to Surrey

Exmoor Ales is being forced to outsource its brewing operations to a factory in Surrey – blaming Covid, inflation and the latest tax increases for the closure of its own brewery.

Production will be taken on by Surrey-based Hogs Back Brewery in a move that is hoped will "keep the brand alive".

Since 1979, the company has brewed its beers in Wiveliscombe, Somerset – the so-called gateway to Exmoor.

Jonathan Price, managing director at Exmoor Ales, told the BBC he hopes the company could break into new markets while working on bringing the brewery back to Somerset.

"What we've done is make the best out of a bad job, in many ways," he said.

"We've preserved as many jobs as we can in Exmoor – all the distribution for Wiveliscombe, the drivers, all the sales people, the office staff."

However, three staff members have been let go, which Mr Price said was "extremely tough".

Breweries, like many hospitality-related businesses, suffered when pubs and restaurants were forced to shut in the pandemic lockdowns.

Rising inflation since then has led to higher bills, and higher costs of raw materials and services.

Recent tax changes brought in by the government mean employers are also paying a higher rate of national insurance than before.

Exmoor Ales announced its changes to pubs and customers in a letter that also cited problems posed for small brewers.

"The closure of a brewery is always sad, but in the current market, it is becoming all too common as global brewers close opportunities for small local brewers," the letter said.

"A recent report by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates showed that independent brewers are now denied access to more than half of all the pubs in their local area – this cannot be good for consumer choice.

"We very much hope times will change and Exmoor will retain the support of its loyal local customers."

The BBC has contacted the British Beer and Pub Association for comment.

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