CUSTOMERS have shared their devastation after a craft beer brand once stocked at Sainsbury’s has gone out of business.
By the Horns has entered into liquidation, blaming the economy and rent hikes for some of the reasons for its collapse.
When a company goes into liquidation, it means the business is completely shutting down by selling off all its assets to pay off debts
Alex Bull and Chris Mills, owners of the craft beer brand explained that the business had been trading well up until last year.
However two companies they worked closely with collapsed, owning them £50,000.
They told the Drinks Business: “Two companies we worked closely with crashed, Flavorly and Bier Nuts, owing us £50k between
them.”
The pair added that Sainsbury’s, who used to stock the brand, took their products off supermarket shelves, adding further pressure.
They continued: “Sainsbury’s took us off the shelves despite being a top 10 seller because another large beer company wanted double the shelf space, our volume dropped to 6,000hl and we got a rent review on the second unit which pushed that up by 30%.
“We still had hope for 2024, as we had a number of things lined up, but there were delays in decisions by supermarket buying teams.”
They added: “And then And Union (which the company contract brewed) went out of business owing us £50,000, so in November we called in a company to look at options, but we just weren’t able to sell or pre-pack.”
The maker of beers such as Stiff Upper Lip and London Surrey Classic ceased trading on January 22, and entered into liquidation on February 3.
Alex and Chris, who founded the beer business in 2011, also own a pub inside the AFC Wimbledon Football stadium, which will remain open until the end of the season.
The Sun has contacted By the Horns for comment.
The news has devastated fans of the beer, with many branding the move a “shame”.
One upset fan said: “That’s a shame — I had their beers as recently as a few days ago at the Wetherspoon’s beer festival. Generally, their cask ales are pretty good.”
While a second added: “A real shame, liked their beer, especially their cask stuff.”
A third chimed in: “I’m saddened by the demise of By the Horns, and hope their staff can find other roles quickly.”
TROUBLE FOR BREWERIES
It comes amid a tough period for the wider craft beer sector as it grapples with rising costs and weak consumer spending.
Manchester brewery Seven Brothers announced it would close one of its beerhouses in Middlewood, Salford.
The venue first opened in 2019 and sold a range of ales and other drinks.
In November, fellow craft brewer ORA Brewing said it would close its taproom in Tottenham, London.
The Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) also closed its Wolverhampton’s Banks’s Brewery late last year.
Elsewhere, Cellar Head Brewing Company and Tap Room also fell into administration after attempts to find a buyer for the business failed.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
