Members Stories

Brewing a resilient city

July 20, 2026

When you’ve got a job to do, it is so tempting to tuck your head down, dial down the noise and plough on through. Stay in your lane vibes. That’s exactly how the team at Bristol Beer Factory felt when they launched BREWED TO GIVE – their charitable giving initiative back in May 2023.

Post-pandemic, they could see communities struggling with rising living costs, increased social isolation and reduced public services, and those with the power were not coming to help. Brewed to Give was Bristol Beer Factory’s way of giving back to the city – donating 2% of every brewery sale, fairly, honestly and easily. But what started as an individual response quickly proved to be a community solution with city-wide appeal.

Now Breweries are quite well known for supporting their communities but BBF knew that signing a cheque for £100k a year was not going to solve Bristol’s challenges. But it also felt a bit soulless. Very un-BBF. Instead, the team sat down over a pint (a Laser Juice, if you’re asking) and developed the framework for an asset-based approach to business giving. By donating a mix of cash, space and beer (at a cost-price rate), BBF could maximise the value of its support, having a greater impact for the community at a grassroots level. 2% with the power to transform lives.

For Sam Burrows, BBF’s MD, this is a commitment to raise up the city with the understanding that their product, their people and their community can only thrive together. “Every keg, cask or can leaving our yard gives something back to the city,” said Sam. “This campaign is about connection, fairness and doing our bit for Bristol. “We’re not just brewing beer, we’re helping brew a fairer city, and every pint counts.”

Since launching Brewed to Give, BBF has raised over £700,000 for good causes. Among the 350 charities and organisations supported across the city are:

Talk Club received £165,082 which is 5% of total Clear Head sales, helping fund peer groups and mental fitness initiatives across the UK
St Werburghs City Farm raised £85,000+ with BBF beer, bar builds and volunteers to support year-round community wellbeing activities.
The Coexist Community Kitchen raised £18,600 through events and donations to support marginalised communities through cooking programmes.
Bristol Bisons Rugby received £17,500 in sponsorship, beer, and kit to trailblaze inclusive rugby.
The MAZI Project received support totalling £10,000 to expand access to food for young people.
Jam Nice CIC raised £4,500 through over two Jam on the Horizon events which will help remove barriers in creative industries.

Sam continues “Bringing people together over world-class beer is at the heart of what we do. It is where communities are built. This campaign is about using our currency, beer, to give back to our community, and support what Bristol does best – creativity, sport, inclusion and people-powered change. Brewed to Give flips beer into cash, maximising the impact of our support. 100% of the funds raised are kept by the community, for the community.”

The initiative has won the SIBA Community Engagement Award in 2025 and 2026 but BBF knows that their city needs more. As Kari Halford, BBF’s Head of People and Community puts it “We are hugely proud of what BBF has achieved with a simple 2% pledge – raising £700k for communities across our city. And we aren’t alone. There are loads of other SME community-giving initiatives from small acts of kindness to multi-million pound Community Foundations – yet working in isolation doesn’t address the city’s challenges efficiently or equitably. It duplicates administration, lacks accountability and drains charity resources. We need to work collectively, quickly and innovatively to prevent charities across our city closing their doors”.

So when the Bruce Gray, the MD of Left Handed Giant, approached BBF about joining forces, an idea emerged… “Imagine what Bristol would look like if every business gave back?” Our charities would be strong, resilient and resourced. Our communities would be supported, valued and heard. And our charity leaders would have the time to be innovative, proactive and dynamic.

It was around this table that We Back Bristol was born. Together, with Quartet Community Foundation, Enviral, Studio Kin, Fanatic and the hospitality legends behind Team Canteen CIC – Bianchis Group, Emmeline, The Pony Family and Team Love – they created a platform to strengthen our city and transform lives.

Every business adds strength. Every pledge creates impact. Together we become a collective force for change.

Cheers Bristol.