St Austell Brewery’s beer festival raises £18,000 for important causes across the South West
- Guild Secretary
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
Thousands of beer lovers, who descended on St Austell Brewery’s much-loved Celtic Beer Festival in November last year, have helped raise £18,000 for charity.
All funds raised will go directly to St Austell Brewery’s Charitable Trust, which supports vital causes across the South West. Since its launch in 2003, the Trust has donated over £1 million to charities and individuals in need across the region. In 2025 alone, the Trust supported projects ranging from youth mental health services and air ambulance operations, to providing essential care equipment for families and adaptive surf gear for charities.
The day-long beer festival transformed the brewery’s historic Victorian cellars into a vibrant venue, with five bars serving more than 100 beers from over 50 UK breweries, which generously donated their beers. Live music filled the space throughout the day, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for beer lovers and the local community. A new Friday night event was introduced this year too – a pre-festival preview kicking off with a beer tasting, hosted by the Craft Beer Channel’s Jonny Garrett.
Georgina Young, Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, said: “The 24th Celtic Beer Festival was a true celebration of beer and community spirit, complete with a brilliant line-up of entertainment and music. It’s a chance for our brewers to show case their creativity and, most importantly, every pint poured helped us raise a huge amount of money, which will make a meaningful difference for charities, individuals and organisations here in the South West.”
The Celtic Beer Festival remains St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust’s flagship fundraising event, alongside other initiatives including pub quizzes, sponsored walks and its annual charity gala, which raised £47,000 last year. Teams across the company’s 160+ pub estate also take part in challenges throughout the year, to boost fundraising efforts.
The Trust accepts applications for grants year-round from Cornwall up to Somerset. For more information or to apply for a grant, visit: https://staustellbrewery.co.uk/charitable-trust/.
ENDS
About St Austell Brewery
Independent, family-owned St Austell Brewery was established in Cornwall in 1851.
Fast forward 174 years, and the company’s range of award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide.
Hot on the heels of the rebrand of its much-loved Proper Job IPA in March 2024 and the launch of its first ever no/low beer in Proper Job 0.5% in October 2024, St Austell Brewery took another huge step in reimagining its identity and values for generations to come.
In June 2025, the business revealed its evolved brand story - a new brand identity, values, and an evolved sustainability plan - taking pride in its rich history whilst embracing a commitment to its ambitions for the future.
The business owns over 160 pubs and inns across the West Country - including managed houses and tenancies.
It also operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley, near Bath (Hare Brewery), having acquired fellow West Country brewer, Bath Ales in 2016, as well as holding a minority share in Harbour Brewing Company.
With a network of six distribution centres across the West Country - from St Columb to Wimborne - the company is the leading drinks wholesale company in the South West.
Pictures for use here: https://www.swisstransfer.com/d/644b214d-b98f-4cbb-af1b-7a8f45c0688f
For more information, see https://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/ or contact:
Communications team
Charlotte Turner
Press Officer
07977564900
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