2011 — A GARAGE, A BIG IDEA
Vibrant Forest began in 2011 with a 1 BBL brewing kit in a garage and a love of great beer. That tiny setup produced around 175 litres — just four casks — at a time.
Our first beer, Summerlands, helped set the tone for what followed: bold, flavourful beer and a determination to do things our own way.
KEY MILESTONES
2014 - The New Brewery
Our new modern brew kit arrived in April 2014, and the first (and nervous!) brew was Flying Saucer, a 4.3% light hoppy beer with citrusy American hops. During the wait for this new equipment, we continued to brew on our 1 BBL kit at our new site on the edge of Lymington, New Forest. We also built a small bar from pallet wood and opened it to the public on weekends
2015 - Celebrating Success
Our first year of full-time brewing culminated in a birthday bash in April 2015, where we launched one of our first oak projects—Black Oktober infused with oak and Brandy. This innovative brew was a massive hit and paved the way for future barrel-aged projects.
2016 : 2019 - Organic Growth
Over the next few years, our business continued to grow organically. We began hosting our own beer festivals at Brockenhurst Village Hall and expanded our brewing capacity. It became evident that we were outgrowing our space, prompting a search for new premises. In February 2019, after careful consideration, we signed the lease on four brand-new industrial units in Hardley on the edge of the New Forest.
2019 : Present - Modern Expansion
Our new home in Hardley has benefited from major investment, with modern facilities and a vibrant taproom that’s become a real hub for the local community. We’ve also expanded our original brewing equipment and built a talented, passionate team — all so we can keep doing what we love: brewing great beer!
