have was enterprise, adaptability and the courage to take risks. Those qualities laid the foundations of a business that remains strong today. Seventy-five years ago, on the Brewery’s centenary, my grandfather Egbert Barnes addressed shareholders and reflected on the challenges facing the business at that time. In 1951, Britain was still emerging from the Second World War. Rationing remained, inflation was around 9% and concerns about an ageing population were already being discussed. Egbert challenged the Chancellor on taxation and explained why the Board had increased prices in response to rising costs. Seventy-five years later, different taxes and different pressures dominate the conversation, but the themes remain strikingly familiar.
However, pubs continue to play a vital role as places where people come together, strengthening social connections and serving as the heart of their communities. For all the changes since 1951, many constants endure. Good management matters. Entrepreneurship matters. And, as my grandfather observed, a little good fortune helps too. Today, St Austell Brewery has a thriving pub estate, a leading regional drinks wholesale business – including its own distribution network – two breweries, award-winning beers, modern infrastructure and talented teams working across the South West. Most importantly, we have people who care deeply about what they do and the communities they serve – something that has never wavered. Reaching 175 years is an incredible milestone, but anniversaries are also an opportunity to look forward. Consumer habits will continue to evolve; the domestic tourism market – particularly here in the South West – will present both opportunities and challenges; technology will continue to reshape our lives; and new opportunities and challenges will emerge. But while the view beyond the hill changes, the qualities needed to navigate it remain remarkably consistent: enterprise, adaptability, courage, great people and long-term thinking.
Gerard Barnes Fifth-generation Chairman St Austell Brewery
Looking beyond the Cornish hill: 175 years of history and still looking forward In 1851, when my great-great-grandfather Walter Hicks founded St Austell Brewery in Cornwall, he could never have imagined the world we live in today. Yet one thing hasn’t changed: every generation has had to look ahead and work out what comes next. There’s a quote attributed to the Duke of Wellington that has long resonated with our family. He described life as “guessing what is on the other side of the hill” – trying to understand what lies ahead using only the information available at the time. As St Austell Brewery celebrates its 175th anniversary this year, I find myself reflecting on how much the world has changed around us – and yet how many of the challenges facing businesses remain remarkably similar. The economic, social and cultural context may evolve, but every generation must still grapple with uncertainty, changing consumer behaviour, rising costs, technological disruption and the enduring challenge of staying relevant in a fast-moving world. Walter Hicks had little certainty about what lay beyond his hill. What he did
He also spoke about cinema, radio and television drawing people away from the pub. Today, that challenge comes from the likes of Netflix, Spotify, TikTok and Instagram – alongside the fact that it’s easier than ever to enjoy food and drink at home. That’s before we even consider changing attitudes towards alcohol and evolving drinking preferences. Competition for people’s attention, leisure time and disposable income has never been greater.
Those values have always guided us at St Austell Brewery and will continue to do so for many years to come.
One hundred and seventy-five years after Walter Hicks brewed his first beer, we’re still looking beyond the hill – guided by the same entrepreneurial spirit that inspired him in 1851 – and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.
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