‘Such sad news’: North Yorkshire brewery to close after Covid and cost of living prove ‘terminal’
Pubs, retailers and drinkers have reacted with dismay after an award-winning brewery announced it was closing.
Bad Seed Brewery in Malton is shutting in its tenth year, it announced today.
Chris Waplington and James Broad were friends and home brewers who created Bad Seed – which quickly won acclaim and a large following for the quality of its beers.
Today, the pair shared the sad news on the brewery’s social media channels.
“We started Bad Seed with one simple belief. That all adventures begin with a Bad Seed of an idea. Sadly, it’s time for this adventure to end.
“In a few weeks, after almost ten fantastic years, we’ll be bringing the shutter doors down on the Bad Seed brew house for the final time.
“We could focus on the reasons why it came to this but they are plain for all to see. Covid, the cost-of-living crisis, societal and market changes: each one of these would be a huge challenge to overcome, the combination was terminal.
“Instead we want to focus on the incredible journey Bad Seed took us on and the great times we had along the way.”
They said that adventure had brought them many lifelong friendships, seeing their beer sold in fantastic pubs and at epic festivals.
“The beer world is very different now to when we started in 2013. It has been thrilling to be part of that journey – and hopefully, in our own small way, part of that change. But all journeys must come to an end,” they said.
Very different world
There’s still some Bad Seed beer to be enjoyed: “Go out to your local independents and seek it,” they urged.
And they added: “The beer world is very different now to when we started in 2013. It has been thrilling to be part of that journey – and hopefully, in our own small way, part of that change. But all journeys must come to an end.”
People were saddened to hear the news.
Fan and YorkMix writer Gavin Aitchison wrote: “You can be proud of what you’ve done and the many wonderful beers you created and shared!”
“So sorry to hear this, we will all miss your beers, but hope your next adventure is just as exciting,” Melissa Reed said on Facebook.
And Jon Hilton added: “Nooooo – that stuff gave me super powers after my leg was amputated and it fuelled me to amazing heights climbing mountains.
“This beer gave me so much more than a taste of satisfaction, it gave me business, fun, laughter and lifelong friends.”