James Beeson
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beesononbooze.bsky.social
James Beeson
@beesononbooze.bsky.social
Drinks editor at leading trade magazine The Grocer. Slice and sando enthusiast. Live music lover. Long-suffering Spurs fan.
Yes, all the other beers are produced on site I believe.
December 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
A few facts to note:

- No stout brewed on site (that's all still coming from Dublin).
- Circa 4,200hl annual brewing capacity.
- 4 permanent beers (lager, pale, IPA porter) + a selection of specials.
- Tours from £30 (including around 2 pints of tasters).
- £7.20 for a pint of the black.
December 8, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Here's what Keystone/Breal had to say about its *ahem* ambitious target to hit £100m in annual sales revenues as recently as July.

At the time it felt as though it's execs were living in fantasy land. And now we know they absolutely were.
November 28, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Pre-pack in, pre-pack out, leaving a wave of destruction and unpaid bills in their wake.
November 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
An industry source speaks:

“They thought they could snap up a ton of assets for next to nothing and it would somehow work. They took on too many brands in too short a time without any proper portfolio strategy or willingness to invest behind the brands.”

Hard to disagree.
November 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Yeah, those two and North probably the exceptions. But the common thread was that they were all opportunistic acquisitions of distressed brands. Keystone didn't buy them because it wanted them. It bought them because it could get them on the cheap.
November 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
😬😬😬
October 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
How much do we think a pint, though?
October 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
We've also covered the campaign today and were already planning to run a letter this week from Barry Masteron as well. But I suppose that doesn't suit the narrative.
October 28, 2025 at 12:13 PM
They're quite literally not my words though. They're the words of Darryl Hinksman, business development manager at Westons. Helen's beef ought to be with him, not me.
October 28, 2025 at 12:11 PM
That's beyond my control, unfortunately. You get a certain number of articles for free each month by registering.
October 28, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I simply want people to acknowledge and recognise the difference between news and opinion. It's not that difficult.

Also, I'm not a supposed journalist. I'm a journalist and have been gainfully employed as one for over five years.

Also, this wasn't a press release.
October 28, 2025 at 11:29 AM
I'm annoyed to be lumped in with a supplier whose views I don't share! And to be criticised for reporting a response to a perfectly valid question I asked one of the UK's leading cidermakers. Especially when we published a follow-up piece yesterday basically saying why Westons was wrong.
October 28, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I think the vast majority of the campaign and quotes are great. It's fantastic to see that so many suppliers are so passionate about protecting and championing perry. I just don't know why the dig at "journalists, publications" is necessary. It's petty and serves no purpose.
October 28, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Ps the press release actively references The Grocer's article right at the top of it.
October 28, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I literally don't agree with what Westons said. Does that mean we shouldn't publish a news story about what one of the UK's leading cidermakers thinks? Absolutely not.

Why news and opinion are being so unfairly conflated here is what has angered me. Not Helen's right to defend the category.
October 28, 2025 at 10:49 AM