Sunrise Beverages, which owns a number of independent beer brands, has made a £100,000 investment into Curious Brewery, to enhance production capabilities and efficiencies.
The investment will automate part of the packaging line and pasteuriser, and introduce world-class manufacturing standards, such as structured 5S management. This will allow the business to optimise the brewing process and continue to enhance quality assurance.
“Curious Brewery operates under the leadership of two master brewers, reinforcing our commitment to brewing excellence, quality control, and continuous improvement,” said Richard Mather, chief executive of Sunrise Beverages.
“Beyond the brewery itself, the Curious Taproom has also undergone a major transformation.” The venue now offers a refined, chef-led menu and an elevated dining experience.
• The Welsh government’s decision to exclude hospitality from business rates reform will hit the sector with £131 million in additional cost over three years.
Analysis by UKHospitality Cymru reveals that, compared to what is currently being paid, the sector’s business rates bill will rise by £19.6 million in 2026/27 (a 23% increase), by £43.3m in 2027/28 (a 51% increase) and by £67.7 million in 2028/29 (an 80% increase).
The dramatic increase is a result of rateable values increasing by 26%, business rates relief being removed, and hospitality being excluded from the Welsh government’s business rates reform.
UKHospitality Cymru has warned that soaring rates bills will accelerate business closures and job losses across Welsh communities, unless the Welsh government rethinks its currents plans for business rates reform and extends it to include hospitality.
David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru, said: “These staggering increases are the direct result of Welsh government stripping out any meaningful business rates support from hospitality businesses.
“An extra £131 million in costs for the sector is simply too much to bear and it will sadly result in business closures and job losses, hitting Welsh high streets and communities. That will be the consequence of the Welsh government’s failing to support hospitality.”
The Society of Independent Brewers & Associates (SIBA) has written an open letter to Mark Drakeford MS, cabinet secretary for finance and Welsh language in the Welsh Parliament, calling for further support for Welsh brewers in light of the Budget announcements on Business rates.
“Welsh microbreweries with rateable values up to £12,000 typically employ only a handful of employees”, writes SIBA. “Yet unless parity is offered in Wales with Full Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR), some of the smallest businesses may have to pay up to £6,000 more in business rates compared to a small England-based brewery.
“For small breweries in Wales, competing in a UK-wide craft beer market, it is a significant disadvantage. Moreover, the effect of this policy is to encourage pubs in Wales to buy English beer, as it could be several pounds cheaper per cask based on business rate savings alone.”
• The Drinks Trade Regatta has announced a new partnership with The Drinks Trust and Only A Pavement Away charities for 2026.
The regatta is an annual sailing event for the hospitality trade. Brewing, wines, and spirits companies compete with on-trade retailers, restaurants. and suppliers. Established for 10 years, the annual event has raised more than £125,000 for charities to date.
The event will be held on The Solent on 4th and 5th June. It will include a charity dinner at the exclusive Royal Ocean Racing Club in Cowes.
• Mad Dog Brewery, based in Cardiff, have opened their third bar, this time in Kent. The venue is in the cellar of what was the former Gloster Tavern in Tunbridge Wells.
