Circular economy

Newcastle-based Full Circle Brew Co launched just as the pandemic hit in 2020, which you might think would have put founder Ben Cleary slightly off his start-up stride. However, unencumbered by unsellable kegs and casks, the fledgling operation was able to quickly pivot to small pack and ecommerce – an environment not alien to Ben, who had previously run webshop and bottle shop business The Pip Stop. What the pandemic did do, was slow Ben’s ambitious plans to become a national brand and to fulfil the ‘Full Circle’ ethos of becoming a fully sustainable business. Nevertheless, the business weathered the impact of Covid well, and this year growth is back on track. So much so, that production volumes are predicted to more than double in 2023, and investment in sustainable technologies and an offsetting programme mean that Full Circle is going to be well on its way to hitting an ambitious target to become a net zero business by 2033. Ben and the team took home the Community Engagement award again this year at the SIBA Business Awards at BeerX in March, the second year in a row they lifted the trophy, which is a reflection of the emphasis Ben places on Full Circle’s role as a force for good within the community of Northumberland, and now on a wider stage with national projects such as a recent partnership with the Marine Conservation Trust. There are also plans for two new standalone bars – a strategy tried and tested by North Brewing, a company Ben very much looks up to. Caroline Nodder, Independent Brewer’s Editor, spoke to Ben in early May to hear more about his plans for world domination…