The success story of Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Brewery

I love a good local success story, and they don’t come much bigger than the case of Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Brewery.

By now, you’ll likely have seen the brand, possibly even tasted the lager or the cider, probably enjoyed it, and gone on your merry way. But what if I told you that Hawkstone was one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses of 2024? And that it had actually been around for over two decades?

Spoiler alert – Jeremy Clarkson has not suddenly reinvented himself as a master brewer and Hawkstone is not an overnight sensation. Yes, Clarkson is a man of many talents and wears many hats, but at the heart of Hawkstone is master brewer Rick Keene, a supremely talented local brewer who has been honing his craft since 2002 when he launched the Cotswold Brewing Co with his partner Emma.

Hawkstone Brewery’s range of beers and cider. Photo: highcohesion.com Cotswold Brewing Co was one of the first local producers I worked with when I opened our first Warner’s Supermarket in 2005. It was a great local business run by great local people who were passionate about creating a great local lager.

The inspiration behind the brand was to create a range of lagers that were made in a similar way to the continental lagers that we all enjoy so much when holidaying abroad. And the hard work and passion paid off – the drinks were a hit and enjoyed by plenty of people who fancied a swift half in their local pub. Certainly, Cotswold Lager was always a staple in my fridge for those (plentiful) occasions when only a cold brew would do.

But, for a local product to go nuclear there has to be another element. Enter Jeremy Clarkson, motoring journalist, farmer, landlord, alchemist. His involvement has sprinkled this already fantastic local product with an extra bit of magic and turned it into a British – if not global – sensation.

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Hawkstone Brewery, near Bourton-on-the-Water Does it matter that Clarkson is the face of what was once the Cotswold Brewing Co? Not at all, because, in this modern day of social media, exposure is everything. And we know that at the beating heart of Hawkstone is a truly talented team with 20 years’ experience and expertise in creating a top-quality local product.

The genius about this relationship is that everyone wins. Clarkson comes across as a credible voice who knows a thing or two about drink production. And Rick’s talent and expertise is what puts him there. Is Rick the brewing industry’s equivalent to the farming industry’s Charlie and Caleb? I’d say it doesn’t really matter, to go from small producer to one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses is a phenomenal local success story. If that’s what it takes for local producers to get the recognition – and the plaudits – they deserve, then, dare I say it, maybe we need more Clarkson-type effect in the Cotswolds!

Hawkstone Brewery’s impressive range of beers and cider at The Farmer’s Dog, Asthall. Photo: Neil Robinson/PA Wire Hawkstone Premium Lager 4.8%: ‘Lagered for longer’ is the tagline for this award-winning Cotswold lager. Bold, and balanced with a smooth body, it is made using barley from Clarkson’s farm.

Hawkstone Session Lager 4%: Another award-winner, this easy drinking lager is incredibly moreish: it is light on the palate, subtly hopped, and has a sweet, biscuity malt finish.

Hawkstone IPA 4.8%: A carefully selected combination of characterful hops gives this IPA bursts of tropical and citrus flavour with a pleasantly hoppy bitterness.

Hawkstone 3.8 Pils: Made in the classic style with hops at the forefront ensure this light-bodied lager has plenty of character with fruity and floral aromas and a light, bittersweet finish.