The US-based Molson Coors Beverage Company announced plans on Wednesday to close Sharp’s Brewery in Rock, Cornwall, and its national call centre in Cardiff, impacting approximately 200 jobs across both sites. The decision, attributed to financial unsustainability, puts the future of the popular Doom Bar ale in question.
According to a statement released by Molson Coors, the closure of the Rock brewery will occur by the finish of 2026. Managing director Simon Kerry stated the company is exploring alternative production routes, including potential partnerships, to continue brewing Sharp’s brands. Approximately 50 positions at the Rock brewery are directly affected, alongside 150 redundancies across the wider Molson Coors operation, according to the BBC.
Sharp’s Brewery, founded in 1994, gained prominence with Doom Bar, which has develop into the UK’s best-selling cask ale. The brand’s name originates from a dangerous sandbank in the Camel estuary near Rock. The brewery likewise produces Atlantic and Twin Coast pale ales.
The announcement has drawn criticism from industry figures. Tom Stainer, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), described the closure as “just another example of a global brewing giant destroying the nation’s cask brewing heritage.” He added that any move to produce Cornish beers outside of the region “would be a disgrace.”
Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, has called on ministers to reassess policies impacting the hospitality sector, citing the closure as a significant blow to the local economy. Maguire warned the news would be alarming for communities across Cornwall, following recent pub closures in the region.
John Brown, chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, expressed empathy for those facing potential job losses, acknowledging Sharp’s Brewery’s importance to the “Cornish story.” Molson Coors stated it has invested over £20 million in Sharp’s Brewery since its acquisition in 2011, focusing on capacity expansion and equipment upgrades, but ultimately deemed the site “no longer financially sustainable.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, Molson Coors had initiated consultations with staff regarding the proposed closures. The company has not yet announced a definitive plan for the future production of Doom Bar and other Sharp’s brands.
