Jeremy Clarkson: The Man Who Turned Unwanted Barley into a Multi-Million Pound Brewery Empire

Jeremy Clarkson, best known for his outspoken persona on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has shocked the world once again — but this time, it’s not with cars or controversy. Instead, the former TV presenter has quietly built one of the most successful and revolutionary beer companies in Britain, all while supporting local farmers and preserving British agriculture.

In 2020, Clarkson faced a dilemma many farmers have experienced: an overabundance of barley and nowhere to sell it. After growing 1,000 acres of barley on his Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, Clarkson found that the big maltsters weren’t interested in his crop. Instead of giving up, Clarkson saw an opportunity and launched Hawkstone Brewery, a premium British lager made with locally grown ingredients. What started as a simple solution to a farming problem has now become a multi-million-pound empire.

From Farm Shed to Brewery Revolution

Standing in a drafty tractor shed surrounded by tons of unsold barley, Clarkson had a lightbulb moment. He wasn’t just going to let his crop go to waste. Inspired by his father’s love for proper British bitter, Clarkson decided to create a beer that was authentically British — a beer that used local barley, brewed traditionally, and brought pride back to British brewing.

At the time, many people questioned Clarkson’s decision. Why launch a beer in the middle of a pandemic when pubs were closed and the brewing industry was on its knees? But Clarkson’s timing turned out to be perfect. With more people staying home and searching for small luxuries to enjoy, Hawkstone beer quickly gained traction. Within weeks, it sold out faster than it could be brewed, marking the beginning of what would become a nationwide sensation.

A Beer with a Story

What sets Hawkstone apart from other beers, particularly celebrity-branded ones, is its authenticity. The barley used in every bottle is grown on Clarkson’s farm and nearby farms in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Unlike the mass-produced beers that rely on cheap, imported ingredients, Hawkstone is rooted in local farming traditions, supporting British farmers and keeping money in local communities.

Clarkson’s brewery isn’t just about making a profit; it’s about making a difference. By using British-grown barley and paying above industry-standard wages to his brewery staff, Clarkson is ensuring that the money spent on Hawkstone is reinvested into the British agricultural economy. This approach, which Clarkson has openly shared with his customers, has built a level of trust rarely seen in the corporate world.

Hawkstone’s rise has proven that British consumers are willing to pay a little more for something they believe in — a product made with integrity, from the field to the glass. Clarkson’s brewery has created a genuinely premium product that is not only high-quality but also supports British farming, an industry struggling to survive in the face of global competition and cheap imports.

Expanding Beyond the Cotswolds

In just a few short years, Hawkstone has gone from a local curiosity to a national brand. Its success on shelves in supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Morrisons has outpaced established craft beers that have been around for decades. The beer’s success wasn’t just about good timing; it was about creating something that people could connect with — a beer that feels authentically British in a way that brands like Carling and Stella never could.

Hawkstone’s expansion didn’t stop there. Clarkson launched three new products in 2022 — an IPA, a Pilsner, and a cider — all made with the same local ingredients and traditional brewing methods. These products have sold well from the start, with the cider in particular taking on the big cider brands, offering a taste of what cider used to be before it became mass-produced and overly sweetened.

But Clarkson’s ambitions go beyond just making beer. In 2023, Hawkstone signed a distribution deal that made the beer available in thousands of retailers across the country. This move has helped the brewery expand its reach, taking it beyond the premium market to become a widely accessible product, all while maintaining its commitment to quality and local ingredients.

Revolutionizing the Beer Industry

What Clarkson has accomplished with Hawkstone is nothing short of revolutionary. He’s proven that it’s possible to create a successful, multi-million-pound business by returning to traditional values and supporting local farming. His commitment to sustainability, from using renewable energy in the brewing process to recycling spent grain for animal feed, is just one example of how his brewery is redefining what it means to run a responsible business.

Unlike other celebrity-backed brands, Clarkson’s involvement in Hawkstone is genuine. He’s not just slapping his name on a product; he’s actively involved in the brewing process, from farm to glass. This authenticity has been key to Hawkstone’s success. His fans trust him, not just because of his fame, but because they know he truly believes in the product and the people behind it.

In 2024, Hawkstone expanded even further by launching a seasonal “Winter Warmer” ale, which sold out within weeks, proving that there’s a market for quality, locally produced beer throughout the year. Clarkson’s ability to listen to his customers and create products they want has helped smooth out the typical peaks and troughs of the beer industry, making Hawkstone a reliable brand year-round.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Clarkson’s vision for Hawkstone is ambitious. He plans to open a larger brewery that can triple production while continuing to support local ingredients and traditional brewing methods. His aim is to compete directly with the big industrial breweries, showing that it’s possible to scale up without sacrificing quality.

Hawkstone’s success proves that people are willing to support British farming and quality beer if it’s done properly. Clarkson has shown that celebrity brands don’t have to be shallow cash grabs; they can be genuine businesses that create real value. Whether he can scale Hawkstone to rival the industry giants remains to be seen, but if his track record is anything to go by, Clarkson has already proven that anything is possible.

From a shed full of unwanted barley to a multi-million-pound brewing empire, Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Brewery is changing the way people think about British beer, one pint at a time.