Brewdog has permanently shut its Hawkes cidery and taproom in Bermondsey, blaming “rampant inflation, soaring utilities costs and relentless cost of living pressures”.
Production of Hawkes’ range of ciders has been moved to BrewDog’s main brewery in Ellon, Scotland.
In a statement made to BrewDog’s investors, the craft brewer said: “Unfortunately, the slowdown in trade on the Bermondsey beer mile, combined with exorbitant rent increases, has meant we have had to permanently close the much-loved Hawkes taproom.”
The cider brand will remain “steadfastly part of the BrewDog family” and continue to be available in its bars, across the on-trade and online.
“We hope to relaunch a cider-focused venue at another location in the city in the future, but in the meantime, you can find it in all the usual places,” BrewDog said.
Hawkes was founded in 2013 by Simon Wright and was sold to BrewDog for an undisclosed sum in 2018.
Wright exited BrewDog in October 2020. A month later, BrewDog co-founder and CEO James Watt admitted he had “ripped the soul” out of the cider business by moving production to Scotland.
Cider production was subsequently moved back to Bermondsey.
