Features / Member profile
‘A better Bristol is a city where everyone has access to the same opportunities’
Michael Wiper is the co-founder of Wiper and True, one of Bristol’s most-loved independent craft breweries. As the business continues to grow, Michael remains deeply committed to community, sustainability and crafting what the team calls “Beautiful Beer.”
What’s the one thing that inspires you to get up in the morning?
I’m generally woken up against my will by my very early-rising three-year-old – and then deeply inspired by a strong cup of coffee.
Once we’re set up for the day, I get genuinely excited about what’s ahead. I love what I do, the people I work with, and the industry we’re in – even with the inevitable growing pains of running a small business. I find joy in building, solving problems, and working collaboratively. I always try to find the most innovative route through whatever’s in front of me.
View this post on Instagram
And at the end of a long day, it all pays off when I head down from the office to our taproom and see it full of people enjoying the beer we’ve worked hard to create. That’s always a moment of real satisfaction.
If you could change one thing about Bristol, what would it be?
Inequality – in all its forms. Just one part of that is what I see every day cycling into work: the stark reality of homelessness. Bristol is the second wealthiest city in the UK; there’s no excuse for such growing disparity.
We’re proud to support organisations like Caring in Bristol, our annual charity partner, but the truth is, much more needs to be done at a systemic level.
What does a Better Bristol mean to you?
A Better Bristol is a city where everyone has access to the same opportunities – where equality and togetherness form the foundation of everything we build.
This city has a fiercely independent and rebellious spirit that can drive real change. But we need to ensure that all our communities share in the beauty, energy, and economic security Bristol can offer. That means long-term thinking, a serious commitment to sustainability, and investing in the next generation.
“Bristol is the second wealthiest city in the UK; there’s no excuse for such growing disparity,” said Michael Wiper, founder of Wiper and True
What action could you take as an individual?
As a business owner, I think it’s my responsibility to keep learning, keep listening, and use whatever influence I have for positive change – whether that’s speaking up, showing up, or making better decisions.
What action could your company take?
At Wiper and True, we’re committed to using our platform for good. We’re proud to be a Real Living Wage employer, and we’re keen to support untrained team members as they build meaningful careers.
For International Women’s Day, we hosted a brew day experience to help women and non-binary people explore what a career in brewing might look like. Craft beer has long been male-dominated, and we believe real change starts with practical steps. We’re now looking into an apprenticeship scheme to take this even further.
Each year, we choose a charity partner to support – this year it’s Caring in Bristol – and we’re investing heavily in sustainability: solar panels, CO₂ recovery systems, and regenerative farming projects for malt. Our goal is to brew Beautiful Beer with integrity and ensure our success benefits more than just us.
“At Wiper and True, we’re committed to using our platform for good”
What would you like to see from Bristol’s business community over the next five years?
I’d love to see every business in Bristol become a Real Living Wage employer, and for sustainability to become a core focus across every sector.
Beyond that, I want to see innovation front and centre – driving growth, attracting investment, and creating jobs that help tackle inequality head-on. Bristol has the potential to lead by example. Let’s show people what’s possible.
All photos: Wiper & True
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
