What’s It Like to Run a Craft Beer Brewery?
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Running a craft beer brewery isn’t just a job - it’s a lifestyle. At PIG BEER, we’re lucky enough to call a beautiful farm in Brockenhurst, nestled in the heart of the New Forest, our home. From early mornings checking on brewing tanks to late evenings chatting with customers at our taproom, every day brings a mix of challenges, creativity, and rewarding moments. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run a brewery like ours.
The brewing process starts early, with our team carefully measuring out malt, hops, yeast, and water. Every batch of PIG BEER is brewed with precision and a lot of heart. It’s not as simple as tossing ingredients together there’s science and art in creating the perfect beer. We experiment with recipes, balancing flavours to make sure every pint is exactly what we envisioned.
Our brewing equipment, housed in the repurposed spaces of the farm, is where the magic happens. Stainless steel tanks bubble away as the yeast gets to work. The air smells of malt and hops a comforting, earthy aroma that never gets old. It’s hard work, but seeing those golden, amber, or deep-brown brews come to life makes every step worth it.
Our own PIG BEER pint glass is perfect for this. You can buy yours here.
Life on a Farm
One of the unique things about PIG BEER is our location. Being on a farm means we’re surrounded by nature, which inspires everything we do.
Our brewery feels like a hidden gem a place where locals and visitors alike can enjoy craft beer in a relaxed, rural setting. We’ve set up a cosy taproom, complete with a heated tent for the colder months. Customers love to stop by, not just for our beer, but for the friendly, welcoming vibe we’ve worked so hard to create.
Running a brewery isn’t just about the beer—it’s about the people. From the farmers who grow our ingredients to the team who make every batch, it’s a collaborative effort. And then there’s the best part: our customers. Watching people enjoy something we’ve poured our energy into is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s someone discovering craft beer for the first time or a regular picking up their favourite brew, those moments remind us why we do what we do.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Craft beer brewing comes with its fair share of challenges, from perfecting recipes to managing production schedules and navigating the ever-changing market. But for us, those challenges are part of the adventure. The reward is in every pint poured, every happy customer, and every chance to share our passion for great beer.
More than just beer
At PIG BEER, we’re not just brewing beer—we’re creating an experience. From hosting events like Street Food Saturdays to collaborating with local food vendors, we want to be more than just a brewery. We want to be a hub for community, a place where people can come together and share good times over great beer.
Running a craft brewery might not be the easiest job, but it’s one of the most fulfilling. For us, it’s about staying true to our roots—literally, on this farm—and crafting beer that reflects our values, our surroundings, and our love for what we do. So next time you raise a glass of PIG BEER, know that it’s more than just beer—it’s a little piece of our story.
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