Bath Rugby and St Austell Brewery strengthen partnership with new-look bars and enhanced matchday experience

Bath Rugby and St Austell Brewery have entered the next phase of their long-standing partnership, marked by major bar refurbishments across the Tribute Stand to elevate the matchday experience as the club enters the final quarter of the 2025/26 season.

St Austell Brewery - Bath Rugby’s official beer partner since 2022 - has worked closely with the club to refresh key fan areas at their stadium known as The Rec, including redesigning two fully branded bars and updating wayfinding throughout the stand. The improvements give greater prominence to the St Austell Brewery’s award‑winning line‑up, featuring Tribute Pale Ale, korev lager, and Bath Rugby Stout - a new addition poured at the stadium from late 2025.

The partnership continues a long-standing connection between Bath Rugby and the St Austell Brewery family, building on a relationship first established through Bath Ales’ sponsorship of the club in 2014. Since Bath Ales joined St Austell Brewery in 2016, that shared commitment to the South West and its rugby community has continued to grow.

The bar upgrades form part of a wider investment from St Austell Brewery across The Rec which includes new digital screens in the Swift Half, boosting brand visibility and allowing for more dynamic content on matchdays. St Austell Brewery also remains the exclusive supplier of draught and bottled beer, lager and cider throughout the stadium.

Dan Crabb, Sales and Distribution Director, St Austell Brewery, said: “We’re proud to continue building on our partnership with Bath Rugby. The Tribute Stand is an important space for both the club and supporters - the revamped bars give us a brilliant platform to showcase our beer brands whilst also backing local sport. With the season heading into its final stages, we’re excited to bring even more energy and great experiences to The Rec.”

James Bibby, Commercial Director, Bath Rugby added: “St Austell Brewery has been a committed partner for many years, and their investment in the Tribute Stand and the Swift Half will make a noticeable difference to fans on matchdays. We’re delighted to take this next step together and further our shared ambition to keep improving the supporter experience at Bath Rugby.”

About St Austell Brewery

St Austell Brewery was founded as a family-owned company in 1851 and has been fuelled by Cornish spirit and independent thinking ever since. Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, it is the South West’s leading brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale business and scooped the titles of Best Managed Pub Company and Best Sustainable Pub Company at the 2026 Publican Awards.

The company operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley (near Bath), following the acquisition of Bath Ales in 2016. Its award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA, korev lager and Proper Job 0.5% - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide.

St Austell Brewery owns over 160 pubs and inns across the South West, comprising of 45 managed houses alongside leased and tenanted sites that are independently run by business partners.

With a network of six distribution centres across the region, from St Columb to Wimborne, the company is the South West’s leading drinks wholesaler. In 2022, it became a minority shareholder in Harbour Brewing Company, expanding Harbour’s distribution footprint and making its high-quality craft beers available in St Austell Brewery pubs and for wholesale customers.

Proud of its heritage and inspired by the future, St Austell Brewery is brewing great experiences for generations to come.

For more information:

For more information, see https://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/ or contact:

Charlotte Turner, Press Officer, charlotte.turner@staustellbrewery.co.uk, 07977 564 900

Megan Chuter, Head of Communications, megan.chuter@staustellbrewery.co.uk, 07970 379 690

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