Lossiemouth’s award-winning Windswept Brewing Co has announced its closure, in a statement blaming the ‘spiralling energy and raw material costs and falling sales’ currently afflicting the craft beer sector.
In years past, Windswept has been hailed by the Campaign for Real Ale for making the ‘best beer in Scotland’, and as recently as last autumn, was racking up gold awards for several of its beers at the Society of Independent Brewers’ Scotland Independent Beer Awards.
But this week Windswept managing director, Nigel Tiddy, took to the brewers’ well-supported social media channels to inform its many fans that the ‘adventure’ was over.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce the news that the time has come to close the doors at Windswept Brewing Co,” said Tiddy.
“Over the last few years, the craft brewing industry has faced an increasing number of challenges that have had a significant impact on our viability as a business. With your help and a fantastic team we have battled through some difficult times.
“Unfortunately, spiralling energy and raw material costs and falling sales throughout the craft beer industry, caused largely by the cost-of-living crisis, have left us in the position where we are no longer able to ride out the storm,” he said.
“The past 11 years have been an amazing adventure – we’ve come a long way since our first brew in November 2012. We’ve experienced lots of highs and lows but importantly we’ve made some fantastic lifelong memories and lifelong friends.
“We’ve also produced some great beers and won more awards than we have space for. We are very proud of that but mindful that none of this would have been achieved without the support of our customers and local community,” stressed Tiddy.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for all of your support over the years. I am so grateful to all of our wonderful customers, our amazing staff and the support of our local community. Thank you for believing in us.”
Tiddy added that the closure was not instantaneous – fans of the brewer had a final chance to get a taste of its goods: “We’ll remain open for online sales until Monday 29th Jan 2024 and our Tap Room and Shop will remain open until Sat 3rd Feb 2024.
“If you’re able to, please come and join us for the last weekend at the Tap Room (2nd to 3rd Feb) to give Windswept the send-off it deserves!”
