Beer brewed in Cornwall by Keltek wins golds at European Beer Awards

Keltek Cornish Brewery, based in Redruth, competed against 1,000 applications across 34 countries in the European Beer Awards.

Just 16 double golds were awarded – and Keltek was one of the recipients. The brewery received double gold for its Reaper Dark Ruby Ale, gold for King its premium citrus hop ale, and silver for Beheaded Ale, a traditional strong ale.

Keltek, meaning ‘Celtic’ in the Cornish language, was chosen as the brewery’s name by founder and head brewer Stuart Heath.

His long felt passion for beer and pubs led him into the brewing world in 1997 when, frustrated at the unimaginative, flavourless beer on offer at his local pub, he made a wager with the landlord. The deal was that if he could brew a superior pint, the landlord would put it on a pump at the bar.

The landlord agreed and Stuart started brewing on a 2.5 barrel microbrewery in a disused stable block on the Roseland Peninsula.

After winning gold for his very first brew, demand for his new and exciting beers grew tremendously and expansion was needed.

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The first move was to a larger unit in Lostwithiel where the brewery’s capacity increased five-fold. In 2007 Keltek expanded again, moving to its current home in Cardrew Way, Redruth.

It now has the capacity to brew more than 250 brewer’s barrels a week, in addition to its own fully automated bottling line that filters, carbonates, fills, labels and caps the beer.

In 2013 Keltek acquired four pubs in the Redruth area, becoming just the second brewery in Cornwall to own its own estate of public houses, and in 2016 acquired two more.

It continues to be a family-owned brewery that follows the age old traditions of brewing by hand.

Three of the Keltek Brewery team, Josh Walker (assistant brewer), Stewart Cawte (general manager) and Alex Fica (head brewer)

New general manager Stewart Cawte said: "I have been at this brewery since October 2021 and have spun many plates, changed the team and with the new team are incredibly proud to receive such prestigious awards. We are extremely excited to see what the future holds as the growth has been tremendous.

"I am very lucky to have surrounded myself with such an amazing and talented team in a short period of time and a huge congratulations goes to head brewer Alex Fica.

"Without great staff there is no business, they are just brilliant. From day one I have had huge support from William Health, whose family not only owns the brewery but they also own a very successful fibre data business."