ST AUSTELL Brewery has celebrated its 175th anniversary in style, with a birthday party at its historic premises and the launch of a book documenting its illustrious history.

The story began in 1851 with founder Walter Hicks, from his early days brewing at the Seven Stars Inn in St Austell to the construction in 1893 of the existing brewery in Trevarthian Road. Designed around a gravity-fed system rather than pumps, the Victorian brewhouse remains part of the working brewery - a rare and much-cherished link between past and present.

Following Hicks’ death in 1916, his daughter Hester Parnall took over the business at a time when women were rarely involved in brewing or hospitality. Hester led the brewery through challenging times, growing the pub estate across Cornwall and beyond, and helping to secure the brewery’s independence for future generations.

Today, St Austell Brewery owns over 160 pubs and inns across the South West, operates two breweries in St Austell and near Bath, runs six distribution centres across the region - making it the South West’s leading drinks wholesaler – and employs more than 2,000 people.

Its award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide. Earlier this year, it became a majority shareholder in Harbour Brewing Company in Bodmin, making its high-quality craft beers available in St Austell Brewery pubs and for wholesale customers.

Following recorded messages from industry top brass and even celebrity chef Rick Stein, chief executive Kevin Georgel led the toast. “I’m privileged to be leading this wonderful company,” he said, “and I’m immensely proud of its rich heritage – where we’ve come from, but just as important, where we’re going next.

“We are operating in a radically changing world – environmentally, politically and socially. One thing remains constant – the connection to the communities we serve and our strong sense of purpose.”

In A History of St Austell Brewery, company archivist Paul Holden has brought together stories, records and personal insight to chart the evolution of the company. “This book is about the details as much as the big moments - the handwritten notes, the delivery ledgers and the people whose decisions shaped the brewery,” he said.

“It’s a story rooted firmly in the South West, but also one of resilience, change and a long-standing pride in brewing great beer and building a thriving hospitality business across the region.”

Among those joining the celebrations were St Austell MP Noah Law, who said: “I’m delighted to be here today, having returned from a busy week in Westminster to pay tribute to one of the largest, most important employers based at the heart of our community.”

Toby Parkins, interim chief executive of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s so brilliant to see a Cornish business with such long-standing heritage sharing its stories and celebrating its continuing success – especially when you consider how it’s growing and developing in one of the most challenging areas of business at the moment.

“I wish the brewery and all its staff, managers and tenants, all best wishes going forwards.”