TL;DR: Changing Times Brewery, a new contender in the Irish craft beer scene, has launched in the UK market, aiming for a whopping 30% sales growth this year. Founded by notable Dublin and Cork publicans, this Glasnevin-based brewery is already shaking things up in the competitive drinks industry.
Changing Times Brewery, the brainchild of well-known publicans from Dublin and Cork, is making headlines by venturing into the UK market, just two years after its inception. With an ambitious forecast of over 30% sales growth for this year, it seems the brewery is ready to cement itself as a formidable player amidst the UK’s thriving craft beer landscape.
Launched in November 2024, this independent family-run brewery has garnered attention thanks to a €1.8 million investment from a dozen prominent publicans. Some familiar names include The Palace Bar, The Long Hall, and Devitts, all of which are recognized staples in Dublin’s vibrant pub culture. As it stands, Changing Times has expanded from an initial two beer offerings to a robust range of five distinct draft brews, featuring names like Daydreamer Lager and Clockwork Stout.
What’s particularly interesting is the role of industry veterans like Pat Rigney, owner of The Shed Distillery, who took on the chair position last year, and Shane Long from Cork’s Franciscan Well Brewery, who oversees brewing operations. Together, they are steering Changing Times with an impressive combination of experience and ambition.
Distribution across the UK will be handled by Inn Express, the UK’s wholesale drinks supplier, with initial listings secured in more than 50 outlets, including reputable pub groups like Windmill Taverns in London and Pillings in Manchester. The groundwork for this distribution was laid when Inn Express stumbled upon Changing Times during a pub visit, highlighting how unpredictably the industry can pivot. Long mused that their original timeline for expansion was more conservative, but the opportunity was too good to pass up.
However, it’s no easy feat entering the UK market, especially in the drinks sector. Rigney himself commented on the toughness of international market entry, stating, “Breaking into international markets in any industry is not for the faint-hearted.” This is a sentiment echoed throughout the craft beer community where competition is stiff and the stakes are high.
Now, on the lighter side: if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the plights of launching a new beer in a foreign land, just remember that not even the finest pint can keep you from a bad review. Let’s hope Changing Times can dodge the unpleasant hangovers of mediocrity and instead thrive through constant innovation and quality brews that will have even the pickiest of UK beer aficionados raising a glass.
In a bit of trivia, did you know that craft beer consumption in the UK has seen a steady rise over the past decade? According to industry reports, craft beer now accounts for about a quarter of the overall beer market, which just might signal a promising landscape for newcomers like Changing Times.
For more details, check out the source from RTÉ.
