Cotswold Lakes Brew Co

Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. was established in 2021 following an idea developed by seven work colleagues during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. Although the group shared a love of drinking beer, they initially had little experience of producing it themselves. Their ambition was to learn the craft of brewing while building a business that could make a positive contribution to the local community and wider environment. What began as a brewery concept presented in a PowerPoint gradually developed into a practical business plan, with the founders determined to be ready when pubs and social venues reopened. From the outset, the brewery was intended to represent more than beer production alone. Its guiding philosophy, Beer With Purpose, reflected a commitment to combining enjoyable, high-quality beers with responsible business practices, collaboration and environmental awareness.

A defining feature of Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. is its use of surplus bread as a brewing ingredient. Every beer replaces a proportion of the malted barley normally required with fresh bread collected from local businesses, giving leftover loaves a new purpose rather than allowing them to become food waste. The brewery views this approach as a practical way to reduce the environmental impact associated with beer production, including some of the land, water and energy required to produce and transport malted barley. Its sustainability efforts extend beyond ingredients to packaging and production processes. The brewery works with packaging suppliers using recyclable labels, recyclable cardboard trays and biodegradable shrink wrap. Water is reused and recirculated where practical, while spent brewing grains are provided to local farmers for animal feed. These initiatives form part of a wider effort to continually improve the environmental performance of the business and its supply chain.

Community and environmental responsibility have remained central to the brewery's development. Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. supports the Cotswold Lakes Trust, a charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing the Cotswold Water Park for wildlife and visitors, and became its founding Community Champion. The brewery commits 1% of its turnover to supporting the Trust's work, connecting its commercial activity with the protection of the landscape surrounding its home. Its wider ambitions include encouraging collaboration between local businesses and promoting sustainable practices throughout the food and drink sector. In 2024, Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. achieved Certified B Corporation status, recognising its commitment to responsible business practices and positive social and environmental impact. The brewery has also received multiple Great Taste Awards and local sustainability awards, reflecting its efforts to combine beer quality with a purpose-led approach.

As the brewery has grown, it has developed into a community-focused business with a lakeside bar in the Cotswold Water Park, providing a place for residents, visitors and local businesses to meet and enjoy its beers. The venue reflects the founders' original ambition to create something that brings people together while celebrating the natural environment and local talent. Nick Hunt, the brewery's Chief Beer Officer, has played a central role in developing the business, contributing brewing equipment, early premises, business planning and local connections. The wider team supports brewing, marketing, sales and partnerships with other businesses across the Cotswolds. In 2026, the brewery announced plans to move to a new lakeside home, marking another stage in its development. Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. continues to build on its Beer With Purpose philosophy, combining award-winning beer, food-waste reduction, environmental responsibility and community engagement.