News / breweries
Embattled Bristol brewery saved from administration
Following a six-month boycott, a brewery in Bristol has been saved from falling into administration, ensuring that its staff and suppliers are paid.
Moor Beer‘s former owner Justin Hawke resigned from the business on December 11; and on the same day Callum Bickers and Bruce Gray became directors.
Bickers and Gray are both also part of the senior leadership team at Left Handed Giant but stress that their involvement at Moor is as individuals.
Left Handed Giant’s brewery in Wadehurst Industrial Park in St Philip’s is only 400 metres away from Moor’s brewery and taproom on Days Road.
Hawke purchased Moor in 2007 and moved production to Bristol in 2014, with a taproom and shop also in Bermondsey in London.
In June, the former US Army soldier blasted the the pro-Palestinian sentiment at Glastonbury Festival which prompted a widespread boycott of Moor.
Hawke had originally pioneered unfined beers at Moor, which in 2016 become the first brewery in the world to be awarded a CAMRA real ale accreditation for a canned beer.
He was also previously vice chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers and was named brewer of the year at the British Guild of Beer Writers’ awards in 2017.
As well as resigning as a director of Moor, Hawke will give up his shareholding and will have no ongoing involvement in the business or its operations, as well as not gaining financially from the takeover.
Moor Beer’s new owners promise to rebuild the business on firmer foundations- photo: Moor Beer
In a message to Left Handed Giant staff, Gray stressed that this is not LHG buying Moor Beer, but is Gray “acting as an individual, with others, to try to get Moor back to a position of commercial viability”.
The involvement of Gray and Bickers at Moor will “hopefully give the brewery a chance to recover over the coming months”.
Gray added: “It won’t be an easy journey. The company is in a deep hole and it will take time, hard work and some difficult decisions to dig it out.
“But I believe trying to save jobs, pay suppliers and preserve a good brewery and venue is the right thing to do, even if it isn’t the easy option.”
Moor Beer’s brewery and taproom is on Days Road in St Philip’s – photo: Martin Booth
A statement released from Moor Beer on Wednesday morning said: “Today marks a new chapter for Moor Beer.
“Justin Hawke has now been fully removed as a shareholder and director of the company. He no longer has any involvement with Moor Beer and has not gained financially from his departure.
“Over recent weeks, a small group of local people who care deeply about our team, our beers and Moor’s place in the Bristol community have worked tirelessly to secure this outcome.
“Bruce Gray and Callum Bickers have led this group, and will form the core of the leadership team taking Moor Beer forward.
“They have great experience locally at Left Handed Giant, and throughout the UK beer scene over the last 20 years.
“The business has been close to administration. The road ahead is still uncertain.
“Our immediate focus is simple: protect our team, support our suppliers, honour our debts and keep Moor trading through this month and through the challenging start to 2026.
“As we move forward, we will be upholding the Code of Conduct accessible in our bio.
“Everyone involved with Moor Beer – employees, directors and shareholders – will be held to these standards. There will be no return to the behaviours of the past.
“Looking ahead, we are committed not only to safeguarding Moor’s future, but to rebuilding it on firmer foundations: ethical leadership, sustainable practices and a socially responsible approach rooted in Bristol’s independent beer culture.
“We hope that those of you who have enjoyed and cared about our beers in the past can do so again.
“Moor Beer has been part of the fabric of the Bristol beer scene for over 20 years.
“As a team, we are committed to doing the work required to ensure we are still here – brewing great beer and contributing positively to our city – for many years to come.”
Main photo: Polly Allen
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