BEER. WITH PURPOSE.

We want our beer, and our business, to be a force for good, with responsibility and sustainability at the heart of everything we do.

When we started Cotswold Lakes Brew Co. we set out to make the best-tasting beers we could; but we wanted this idea to be about more than just beer. We want to make a positive difference, not just to our environment, but also to our local community and beyond. Our hope is that through building sustainability into every element of our business, we can help address some of the bigger challenges around us. It’s what we call “Beer. With Purpose.”

Each of our beers has a proportion of the malted barley replaced with surplus fresh bread sourced from local businesses; ‘upcycling’ their leftover loaf ends that would otherwise go to waste. Food production is the biggest contributor to climate change and one third of all food is wasted. Brewing with surplus bread is our small way of tackling this global issue. Using less malted barley also helps reduce the carbon footprint of our beer, because it saves some of the land, water and energy needed to grow, produce and transport the malt.

Our focus on sustainability extends to our packaging partners, who utilise recyclable material for labels, fully recyclable cardboard trays and biodegradable shrink wrap.

We continually look at our supply chain to understand where improvements can be made from a sustainability perspective. Water required for the brewing process is re-used and recirculated where possible, and spent grain is given to local farmers for animal feed.

Our sustainability focus also goes beyond our beer. We want to champion sustainable practice, not just in brewing but also in the wider food and drink production industries. We want to do this by building a local community of like-minded sustainable businesses. Through the sharing of knowledge and experience, we believe this community will help each other to grow and develop with sustainability at its core.

We are so fortunate to be based in a beautiful part of the world and are committed to supporting the preservation of this corner of the Cotswolds. The Cotswold Lakes Trust is a charity dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of the Cotswold Water Park for the benefit of both wildlife and people, and we are proud to support them as their founding Community Champion.

We are proud to have been part of the global B Corporation family since 2024. Since day one, our mission has been simple: brew award-winning great-tasting beers while making a positive impact. Becoming a B Corporation is a huge milestone that reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainability, community, and purposeful brewing.

From using surplus bread to reduce food waste in our brewing process to donating 1% of our turnover to the Cotswold Lakes Trust, we’re dedicated to doing business in a way that benefits both people and the planet. Our vibrant lakeside bar continues to bring together the local community, businesses and visitors to celebrate the best of the Cotswolds – all with a focus on sustainability and local talent.

For us it’s all about Beer. With Purpose. – great beer that truly makes a difference.

We can’t wait to continue growing, learning, and making an even bigger impact!

For more information on our Beer. With Purpose. philosophy, please take a look at our Impact Reports: