The team behind a Sussex brewery has spoken out after kegs were stolen from their business.
On Saturday, November 8, a large quantity of alcohol kegs were stolen from Arundel Brewery and Taphouse, on Lyminster Road.
It is believed that the kegs were taken at about 6.30am and loaded onto a white Mercedes Sprinter type van.
Police are currently investigating the incident and have called for anyone with information to get in touch.
Stuart Walker, owner of the brewery, described the moments they discovered what had happened.
He said: “It was about 6.30am on the Saturday morning and when we got the CCTV it was very clear that a Mercedes van turned up and basically filled the van with kegs.
“It’s happened to us before about 5 years ago, but the police were able to recover the kegs at a container in Dover. It had looked like it was full of furniture but in the middle, there were the kegs.
“There's a big operation happening.”
The kegs were empty and Stuart is in talks with the providers to get hold of replacements, however he explained the importance that this is done in time for the run-up to Christmas.
He said: “We've got beer in tank which we’ve got to get into kegs in time for Christmas.
“Christmas is an absolutely crucial time because January and February can be tough times for independent breweries, so you need a good Christmas to get through it."
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The family-run brewery first opened in 1992, supplying pubs across the south coast. As well as the brewery, they also have the Arundel Taphouse where customers can try their fresh beer and enjoy street food.
Stuart opened up about the struggles of being an independent brewery in the current climate.
He said: “We’ve been there all the way through the craft beer boom, but the last 12-18 months in particular, people haven’t got a lot of disposable income and beer in supermarkets is so cheap.
“Supermarkets sell beer below cost and don’t pay VAT, as a result it makes beer in pubs look very expensive, so pubs have to offer something extra. The consequence is though that a lot of pubs are then closing all over the country.”
Stuart encouraged people to visit their local pubs, highlighting how it is the best way to show their support.
He also thanked the public for their response after he shared what had happened on their social media page.
Stuart said: "A lot of customers came in at the weekend and said how they wanted to support us, which has been great.
"The best way to support is to come down and have a beer and some good food."
A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Officers are investigating, and anyone with relevant information such as CCTV or dashcam footage in the area at the time is asked to come forward, quoting serial 375 of 08/11."
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