A founder of Drop Bear Beer Co. has spoken of the company’s dream to develop the world’s first carbon neutral alcohol-free craft brewery in Abergavenny as its plans are considered by Brecon Beacons National Park.

Responding to claims made by some residents, Joelle Drummond said the company’s plans for a new brewery was fully considerate of the environment, landscape, and heritage of the area.

Founded in 2019 by Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena, Drop Bear has won major UK and international awards for its alcohol-free craft beers.

Last year the company became a certified B Corporation®️, putting it among an elite group of environmentally-focused UK food and drink businesses.

Joelle Drummond said, “When creating Drop Bear, we were determined to strive for brewing excellence and to form an inclusive company and brand epitomising our personal beliefs about sustainability, the environment and ethical business.

“Our mission has always been ‘to brew the best alcohol-free craft beer and build a better world in which to drink it,’ and we genuinely mean it. That’s why we chose Abergavenny as the ideal place for our brewery.

“Drop Bear isn’t just a company, it’s a movement, and we want to lead it from a location that reflects that, and to create a brand which impacts the entire drinks industry by setting the bar higher for ethical and sustainable practices.”

The company’s proposal is not to build a new structure but to sympathetically convert an existing farm building, with operating hours limited to regular working hours, and weekly, not daily, traffic movements.

In its application, Drop Bear has followed the correct legal process. It engaged a national firm of landscape architects who undertook detailed landscape studies to ensure the design would not only have a limited impact on the protected landscape, but improve on it. And, it will work closely with the National Park ecologist to address any noise and light pollution concerns.

Joelle said, “This isn’t just a business, we’re here to put good back into the world. This site epitomises our values and brand identity.

“We visited and reviewed so many sites across South Wales. The first time we saw Celliwig Farm, we immediately knew it was supposed to be Drop Bear’s home.

“We want to champion Wales as a place to do ‘green’ business and be part of the green economy. An industrial estate would not be a suitable solution for our carbon neutral and sustainability goals.”

Drop Bear has talked to and listened to the local community about its plans during this consultation period, and the response has generally been overwhelmingly positive. The allegation, however, that it has started preparatory work, is categorically incorrect and damaging to the due process of the planning application.

In terms of a perceived threat to people’s water supplies, this claim too is completely incorrect, and it has already been discussed with local residents and detailed in the planning application.

Joelle stressed, “We will not be looking to extract water. I can’t emphasise enough there will not be any change in the natural water supplies to other properties due to our business.”

She added, “The preservation of the cultural heritage is key to this development, as is the enhanced biodiversity and substantial planting scheme. These meet the first statutory purpose of the National Park – to conserve and enhance its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

“We want Drop Bear to be part of a community. As outdoorsy foodies, Abergavenny and all it offers is the perfect fit. It would be an honour to see our plans for the world’s first carbon neutral alcohol-free brewery blossom in the food capital of Wales.”