Welsh Government
Printable version

Royal Welsh Launch for farming family's craft beers

A Treorchy family who have been farmers for generations have chosen Wales’ premier agricultural show to launch their new business – Cwm Rhondda Ales – craft beers brewed using natural spring water from their hill farm.

Exhibiting at the Royal Welsh Show, which attracts up to 240,000 people over the four day event, will be the ideal venue to showcase their real ales to the Wales-wide farming community and a great marketing opportunity.

The micro-brewery based at Fforch Farm - the family farm in the heart of the Rhondda Valleys - was started by sisters Grug and Caryl Jones and working along side them their brother Arwel.

With help and advice from the Welsh Government's business support service, Business Wales, Cwm Rhondda Ales only began trading in April this year but is already supplying a range of pubs throughout South Wales with their distinctive ales.

From an initial farm diversification idea suggested by their father Lynne Jones in September 2014, it's been a steep learning curve to get Cwm Rhondda Ales up and running.

Business Wales helped the young entrepreneurs get up to speed on running a business as well as all the rules and regulations associated with setting up a brewery.

They attended a series of workshops and one-to-one sessions to make their dream of becoming their own boss a reality, with information provided ranging from licences covering brewing, premises and distribution to waste disposal and buildings regulations.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:

"The Business Wales service provides a raft of help and support to business throughout Wales - from start-ups to established firms and I am delighted it has helped this new enterprise get off the ground and start trading in a growing niche market."

Business Wales also worked closely with the new business to overcome funding gaps and helped them successfully apply for £12,000 funding from the Welsh Government and a £14,000 loan from the UK Government's Start Up Loan Company.

Grug Jones said:

"Cwm Rhondda Ales marks a new chapter for our family farm and we are delighted with the response and look forward to targeting a much wider market at the Royal Welsh Show.

"Through our direct marketing activities and word of mouth we are already supplying a number of well established free houses throughout South Wales and producing eighteen casks of ale a week.

"We use traditional brewing methods and use our very own natural spring water which when combined with locally produced malt barley and hops, produces a unique taste and quality which is proving to be very popular.

"The help and support we have received from Business Wales has been invaluable in helping us start the business - their advisors are always on hand to help whenever we ring or email with any query."

The micro-brewery has already launched two brands Boyo and Shwmae But, with another two - Tommy Box and Pithead - due out shortly and they have started bottling ales which are selling very well at food and drink festivals.

Cwm Rhondda Ales is also benefiting from support through the Welsh Government backed project Cywain which arranged their presence at the Royal Welsh Show and providing mentoring support.

RELATED LINKS

Food and drink

 

Channel website: http://gov.wales

Share this article

Latest News from
Welsh Government

Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story