Microbrewery to say cheers to first year with free music festival
A Truro microbrewery is celebrating a year in business and plans to mark the occasion by hosting a free music festival.
Cornish beer entrepreneur Mike Mason used a £15,000 Start Up Loan issued via the programme’s partner, SWIG Finance to expand the capacity of his microbrewery in Threemilestone.
The Cedar Roots Festival line-up on May 10 will run from 3pm until late and will include five of Mike’s favourite acts – Kitty Crocker, The Wave Machine, Joe Francis, Séamus McKenna and Old Baby Mackerel – as well as food from Sourdoughlicious Pizza and Sloth & Sparrow Plant-Based Kitchen.
Naturally, he has created a special birthday beer – an 8% imperial stout brewed with customers in January and aged in a port barrel – as well as showcasing brews from friends in the industry.
Mason said: “The celebration is more about giving something back to the people who kept me in business. It’s not just about beer quality – it’s about community, which in my eyes is what makes a business succeed. I want them to come and enjoy it.”
The loan also enabled Mason to buy his own kegs and casks, rather than renting them at a higher cost, and to hire his first staff member, experienced bartender Megan O’Connor.
Mason worked in recruitment for a major international brewer before making the decision in 2018 to retrain and pursue his dream of making a living by getting hands-on with the beer. “I realised that recruitment wasn’t really me, and I was more naturally gifted at the practical side of life,” he explains. “I now feel I’m doing something I’m more aligned to and passionate about. It entailed a heavy pay cut, but fortunately, my wife was very supportive.”
He went on to work for microbreweries and the Brewhouse & Kitchen brewpub chain, making more than 25 different ales, winning regional brewing awards and leading a beer-tasting event at the Houses of Parliament. When wife Lisa faced a job relocation from the Midlands to Cornwall, he found work at The Driftwood Spars brewpub in St Agnes, and would go on to spend four years as its head brewer.
A year ago, Mason made the leap and launched Mason Brewing Co with a second-hand brew-kit. The industrial-style taproom on Threemilestone Industrial estate was chosen for its proximity to a growing population – the developing Langarth Garden Village and Truro City FC stadium are a stone’s throw away.
There are currently seven beers on tap, always with a variety from hazy pale and sour to stout and lager, and all vegan with at least one gluten-free option available. “It means if a group of people come in with different tastes, there is usually something for everyone.”
Live music and events are on offer most weekends, with regular visits by pop-up food trucks.
SWIG Finance’s managing director John Peters said: “Mike is very passionate about what he does. Having previously worked for other breweries, it’s great to see him taking the plunge, starting his own business and already creating a strong brand identity.
“The taproom is an evolution of tradition mixed with a cool industrial feel. It has an amazing atmosphere and will certainly be a cracking place to enjoy a nice pint and some live music.”
Mason Brewing Co is open Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 2pm to 10pm, and Sundays 3pm to 8pm.
