Bakewell-based Thornbridge Brewery has reported 15% year-on-year growth, with every single lager SKU up across its Summer of Lager campaign and is looking ahead to their Oktoberfest celebrations.
The demand for the brewery’s core lagers – Lukas, Bayern and Czech Mates – increased over the summer period, underlining Thornbridge’s ability to keep established brands relevant in a competitive category.
Favorito (a light Mexican lager, brewed with flaked maize) performed exceptionally well with sales tripling; the brewery is already planning increased production for 2027 after demand outstripped supply. Its seasonal Continental lager, Ster, sold out in just three days.
Commenting on the success of the summer marketing campaign, Simon Webster, Thornbridge Co-Founder and CEO, said: “In 2025 we brewed the ninth best-selling cask beer in the UK and this year we’re increasing our lager sales by 15% year-on-year. It’s a testament to the whole team in Bakewell that we’ve been able to achieve this.”
Thornbridge is building on its success with the debut of its first ever Radler: a lower ABV, lemon-infused version of Lukas, Helles Lager, designed to extend the brewery’s lager range into a lighter, more refreshing format for the last stretch of summer.
The brewery will release a brand-new Fest Bier to celebrate Oktoberfest 2026, while bringing back their much-loved Wheat Beer, Heff, as they look to continue the positive momentum into the autumn.
With the leisure and hospitality sector under continued cost pressures, it’s welcome news to see an independent brewery performing so well.
Thornbridge Brewery celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 and has become one of the most successful privately-owned producers in the country. They sell beer across the UK and to 40 countries, and have notched up over 500 global awards.
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