Press Release: From Bucket Brew to 1.4 Million Pints - Independent Shropshire Brewery Celebrates 20 Years

At a time when many independent breweries are facing unprecedented challenges, one family-run business in Shropshire is celebrating a remarkable milestone.

Ludlow Brewery, one of Britain’s most respected independent breweries, is marking its 20th anniversary in 2026, having grown from a bucket in a garage to a business capable of producing 2.6 million pints a year.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Gary and Alison Walters, the brewery was established with a simple ambition: to bring brewing back to the historic market town of Ludlow after an absence of nearly 80 years.

 

Managing Director Gary Walters brewed the company’s first beers in his garage in 2006. What began as a passion project quickly evolved into a commercial venture, initially operating from a disused maltings building before relocating to a derelict Victorian railway shed dating from 1857.

Today, the restored railway building is home to a thriving brewery, taproom and visitor destination, producing just under 1.4 million pints annually and employing a team dedicated to traditional brewing values and innovation.

“We started with a dream of bringing brewing back to Ludlow,” said Gary Walters. “Twenty years later, we’re incredibly proud to still be brewing independently, creating local jobs and welcoming visitors from across the UK. Reaching this milestone is something we owe to our loyal customers, staff, suppliers and the wider community who have supported us throughout our journey.”

The brewery’s flagship Ludlow Gold, first brewed in 2006, remains one of the region’s most popular ales and has won numerous awards over the years. Alongside its traditional cask range, the brewery has continued to innovate through its Derailed brand, producing modern craft beers and launching its first lager in 2024.

The anniversary comes during a difficult period for Britain’s brewing industry. Rising costs, changing consumer habits and economic pressures have led to the closure of hundreds of breweries in recent years. Against that backdrop, Ludlow Brewery’s continued growth and investment stand as a rare success story for independent brewing.

To celebrate the milestone, Ludlow Brewery hosted a free Family Fun Day in May, which featured live music, street food, brewery tours, vintage vehicles and entertainment for all ages.

-Ends-

Date of issue: May 2026

Media contact: Samantha Howells on behalf of Ludlow Brewery.

M: 07765 238 071           

E: marketing@ludlowbrewery.co.uk 

Note to editors:

• Ludlow Brewery was founded in 2006 by Gary and Alison Walters.

• The brewery is based in a restored Victorian railway shed built in 1857.

• Current production is just under 1.4 million pints annually.

• Brewing capacity increased to 2.6 million pints per year following major investment in 2024.

The brewery’s flagship beer, Ludlow Gold, has been brewed continuously since 2006.

A Brewing Legacy Reborn 

Founded in 2006, Ludlow Brewery began with a simple ambition: to rekindle brewing in Ludlow after a long hiatus following the closure of the Ludlow and Craven Arms brewery in the 1930s.

From humble beginnings - when Gary first brewed in a bucket in his garage - the business quickly grew, moving into its first home in a disused malting building on Corve Street. By 2008, founders Gary and Alison Walters had outgrown the site and seized the opportunity to relocate to a derelict Victorian railway shed, originally built in 1857, just off Station Drive. 
The building was carefully restored over two years, supported by funding from the Rural Development Programme for England, the EU, and a Shropshire Tourism Business Grant. With the installation of a 20-barrel brewing system, the brewery was soon capable of producing more than 30,000 pints a week. 

An on-site taproom and visitor centre opened in 2011, followed by further expansion in 2015 and again in 2022, including solar panels, enhanced storage facilities and a new balcony with a covered beer terrace. Continued investment saw major upgrades in 2024, with the installation of advanced brewing vessels, doubling capacity to a potential 2.6 million pints annually. 
At the heart of the brewery’s success is the range of well-balanced beers, led by its multi-award-winning flagship, Ludlow Gold - first brewed in 2006 and still a favourite today. While rooted in traditional cask ales, the brewery has also embraced innovation, launching its Derailed range in 2019 to explore more of modern, craft-led styles. The brewery also launched its first lager in 2024, Latitude 52, a name which pays homage to the brewery’s location. 
Today, Ludlow Brewing Company produces just under 1.4 million pints a year and remains a proud champion of independent brewing in the region. 
For more information, visit Ludlow Brewery’s website or follow on social media.