December 2022 Newsletter - The Year In Review aka Best Laid Plans

Brewery News

Hi all,

This time last year, I spoke from a position of deep pessimism - it looked likely we were going to be heading into a 3rd lockdown, and Scot Gov's official advice to the population was don't go to pubs, bars or restaurants. It was a tough few months and like everyone personally and professionally, the priority has been to keep heads above water while attempting to strengthen our position in the industry.

Despite this, objectively we've had a very good year in 2022 despite the many obstacles - there is a lot to look back on and be proud of. Campervan beers are available in more places than ever, and tasting better too - we've broken into Northern England, have great distribution and can even be drank in Singapore! I attended a beer festival in Barcelona (there are some perks to brewery ownership!) where the beers were rapturously received, which was heartening.

Campervan can be drank in some of Scotland's finest alehouses (Kay's Bar), best attractions (Johnnie Walker Princess Street), luxury hotels (Gleneagles Townhouse), farmshops (Loch Leven's Larder), nationally from Oddbins, and through the many bars, restaurants and independent bottle shops who we love. To do this while never betraying our qualities and beliefs is something I'm proud of. We've remained malleable to the sways of the industry, as we have to.

I'm also proud of the team at the brewery, who are a talented, grafting bunch. Jaime, Aidan and Jake have all been great additions, while at Lost In Leith Sophie and the team have really kicked on this year with some spectacular events.

Things could have been even better. It's no secret that we were initially looking for a new site to expand into, and then once we decided to stay on Jane Street, to expand and modernise with a new plant. Pat put a huge amount of work into plant design, working with manufacturers, sustainable practises, heat retention, malt silos, solar panels, mezzanine taproom. A shiny, new Campervan world, with the funding secured. It's a great vision of where we want to be.

We were there, finger on the button, and then Liz Truss went full steam ahead. The economy blew up, confidence collapsed, savings blown, lots of the hard work post-Covid in household and businesses up in smoke. We ummed and ahhed. Could we at least still build the floor? Would that just be a folly?

The decision was made for now to hold fire, but it remains our ambition for next year, and it's absolutely possible and realistically necessary for us to achieve the next level. Next year will have its challenges, with the sky-high energy and production costs along with the complete lunacy of the Deposit Return Scheme likely to kill off many small retailers and breweries.

But we go in to it positively, chiefly thanks to yourselves, who have always backed us - we literally couldn't do it without you, and we hope to retain your trust and belief in us over the next year. We've extended our Support Local discount for the rest of 2022 as a thank you, and because everyone needs a little bit more help this Christmas.

Cheers,
Paul