Sharp’s Brewery to be shut down by the end of 2026

The American brewing business, Molson Coors Beverage Company, announced that Sharp’s Brewery in Rock is set to be shut by the end of 2026, as the site was “no longer financially sustainable”. 

The brewery is the home of Doom Bar, which has been a staple at pubs, restaurants and supermarkets around the country. 

Since acquiring Sharp’s in 2011, Molson Coors has invested more than £20 million in the brewery to expand capacity, upgrade equipment, support innovation and strengthen the portfolio, CAMRA confirmed. 

Molson Coors confirmed it is in the process of exploring a number of alternative production routes, including the possibility of producing them in partnership. 

Molson Coors UK and Ireland MD Simon Kerry said: “The proposed closure of Sharp’s brewery has not been an easy decision for us to make. It has been a significant part of our UK business for 15 years, with an exceptional and committed team which takes such huge pride in their craft. 

 “We have invested significantly in the site and the Sharp’s brands over that time and have taken every step we can to try and avoid this outcome. However, the site is no longer financially sustainable as part of our national production network.” 

‘Long-term success requires decisive action’

With almost 90 percent of Molson Coors’ on-trade customer orders now being placed through its e-commerce site, the company is also proposing to close its UK National Contact Centre in Cardiff by the end of 2026. 

Mr Kerry added: “As a brewer with more than 200 years of experience, we understand that long-term success requires decisive action in response to market evolution. These proposals are founded on building on our strong foundations and reshaping our business for growth. 

“By making difficult choices now, we can unlock greater opportunities to invest in our business, our people and our brands to help us and our customers to grow sustainably and for the long term. This is clearly a very difficult time for our colleagues, and we will be doing everything we can to support our teams through this process.” 

200 staff are set to be made redundant across Molson Coors, including 50 people at the Rock brewery. 

CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said that the news is “just another example of a global brewing giant destroying the nation’s cask brewing heritage”.  

“Sharp’s has been brewing cask for more than 30 years, and this will just be dismantled overnight. Trying to produce iconic Cornish beers outside of the Duchy would be a disgrace.  

“We are losing far too many cask brands and the breweries that craft them at the hands of global brewers more interested in profit than our brewing heritage and making sure drinkers can enjoy authentic products. Not only does it impact our local pubs and consumer choice, but it also damages Cornish and UK brewing heritage, culture and, of course, jobs,” he concluded. 

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