A HEREFORDSHIRE brewery is calling time after its trade was ravaged by coronavirus.

Swan Brewery, in Leominster's Brunel Road, has spent the last six years brewing ales for pubs, clubs, festivals, the public and retailers.

But now, a brewery spokesperson has confirmed, the partners at Swan Brewery have decided to call time at their Leominster brewery in the spring.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Jimmy Swan and Gill Bullock, Swan Brewery is well known around Herefordshire and beyond for ales such as Swan Gold, Ruffled Feathers, Winter Swanderland, Arm Breaker, Bewick’s Best, and many more both on draught and in bottles.

The brewery’s tasting days on the first Friday of each month have become hugely popular with drinkers enjoying brand new, seasonal and regular Swan Brewery beers plus food from local pop-up vendors.

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But, head brewer Jimmy Swan said, the coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact on the business.

"In the first 12 months of the pandemic our brewing volumes were down by around a half," Mr Swan said.

"We recovered to a point in 2021 but then Omicron hit and, once again, adversely affected the pub trade at what should be one of their busiest times.

"We’ve seen so many hardworking publicans having to experience the rollercoaster of the last two years at the front end.

"The majority of our beer is sold in pubs and, while we have added other ways of bringing beer to lips, trade has been, at best, erratic.

"We have also seen really significant increases in the cost of raw materials, fuel, rent, energy and transport.

"While we have somehow managed to keep in the black, we foresee it is unsustainable for us to carry on trading in such uncertain times.”

Brewery Partner Gill Bullock said: “We’ve built up great relationships with landlords and ladies, drinkers, hop growers and local trades people: we’ll really miss that aspect of our business.

"We will continue to brew and deliver beer and run our events through to the spring and we’ll even launch a couple of new beers.

"We remain committed to excellent ales and customer service to the end.

"We hope plenty of drinkers and publicans can join us at our April 1 Tasting Day with Swan Song 4.4% as our farewell brew and the Beefy Boys cooking up a storm.”