Renegade Brewery
Renegade Brewery is an English brewery in Yattendon, Berkshire, formerly known as West Berkshire Brewery.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Renegade Brewery is a brewery based in Yattendon, Berkshire, England. The business was established in 1995 by husband and wife Dave and Helen Maggs under the name West Berkshire Brewery. It began production in a dilapidated building behind the Pot Kiln in Frilsham, and developed from a small local operation into a larger regional brewery serving the beer and pub trade. Within its first year, the brewery received its first brewing award, beginning a record of recognition at events associated with the Society of Independent Brewers and the Campaign for Real Ale. The brewery expanded as demand increased. In 2000, it opened a second production unit in Yattendon because its original Frilsham premises could no longer accommodate the business. The move increased production capacity to approximately 25 barrels per week. Additional expansion followed in 2006, when more fermenters were installed and weekly capacity rose to about 80 barrels. In parallel with brewing, the company developed a pub presence. It acquired the Rising Sun at Stockcross in 2005, and the pub received West Berkshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year award in 2007. The 2007 period also marked the consolidation of production at Yattendon. The Frilsham plant ceased operations, leaving the Yattendon site as the brewery's sole production base. In 2013, David Bruce, who had founded the Firkin pub chain, joined the company as a director and later served as chairman. His involvement connected the brewery with a broader background in British pub and brewing businesses. In 2017, West Berkshire Brewery opened a purpose-built facility incorporating a brewery shop, bar, and restaurant. The development expanded the business's role beyond production by providing a customer-facing hospitality and retail destination at its brewing site. The brewery continued to receive attention for its beers through local and independent brewing competitions, including SIBA and CAMRA events. The company entered administration in 2021. It was subsequently acquired by the Yattendon Group, after which the brewery was renamed Renegade Brewery. The rebranding marked a change in ownership and corporate identity while retaining the brewery's connection to the Yattendon area and its established brewing heritage. Available reference material does not provide a complete current product list, detailed ownership structure, financial information, or a definitive account of current executives and distribution markets.
History
Renegade Brewery began in the summer of 1995 as West Berkshire Brewery, founded by Dave and Helen Maggs. The first brewing operation occupied a run-down building behind the Pot Kiln in Frilsham, Berkshire. Despite its modest premises, the brewery gained early recognition, winning an award during its first year. This early success helped establish the business within the local independent brewing community. By 2000, growth had made the Frilsham site insufficient for the brewery's needs. The company opened a second unit at Yattendon, increasing capacity to approximately 25 barrels per week. Further investment in 2006 added fermenters and raised production capacity to around 80 barrels per week. The brewery's expansion reflected both increased demand and the broader revival of interest in regional and independent British beers. The business also entered the pub sector. In 2005, it acquired the Rising Sun at Stockcross. The pub was recognized by West Berkshire CAMRA in 2007 when it received the organization's Pub of the Year award. During the same year, the original Frilsham brewing facility closed, and all brewing operations were consolidated at Yattendon. In 2013, David Bruce joined the company as a director and subsequently became chairman. Bruce was known for founding the Firkin pub chain, bringing experience from the British pub and brewing industries. Four years later, in 2017, the company opened a purpose-built Yattendon facility that included a brewery shop, bar, and restaurant. This created a more integrated production, retail, and hospitality destination and gave visitors a direct way to engage with the brewery. West Berkshire Brewery was also associated with awards from the Society of Independent Brewers and the Campaign for Real Ale, although the available reference does not identify every beer, category, or award year. These recognitions contributed to the brewery's regional reputation. In 2021, the brewery entered administration. The Yattendon Group subsequently acquired the business, and the brewery adopted the Renegade Brewery name. The change represented a new phase under the acquiring group while preserving the operation's Yattendon base. Publicly available reference material supplied for this entry does not establish the full post-acquisition management team, current production volumes, detailed product portfolio, or complete distribution footprint.
- 2021
Administration and acquisition
[1]The brewery entered administration and was subsequently acquired by the Yattendon Group.
- 2021
Renamed Renegade Brewery
[1]After acquisition by the Yattendon Group, the business adopted the Renegade Brewery name.
- 2017
Purpose-built facility opens
[1]A new Yattendon facility opened with a shop, bar, and restaurant.
- 2013
David Bruce joins the company
[1]David Bruce, founder of the Firkin pub chain, was appointed a director and later became chairman.
- 2007
Production consolidated at Yattendon
[1]The Frilsham plant ceased operations, leaving Yattendon as the brewery's sole production site.
- 2007
Rising Sun named West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of the Year
[1]The brewery-owned Rising Sun at Stockcross received West Berkshire CAMRA's Pub of the Year award.
- 2006
Fermentation capacity expanded
[1]Additional fermenters increased the brewery's production capacity to approximately 80 barrels per week.
- 2005
First pub acquired
[1]The company acquired the Rising Sun pub at Stockcross.
- 2000
Yattendon production unit opens
[1]A second unit opened in Yattendon, raising production capacity to approximately 25 barrels per week.
- 1995
West Berkshire Brewery founded
[1]Dave and Helen Maggs founded the brewery in a former or dilapidated building behind the Pot Kiln in Frilsham, Berkshire.
Products and positioning
An independent English regional brewery with roots in traditional cask ale, local pub culture, and brewery-based hospitality. The business combines beer production with an on-site shop, bar, and restaurant, and has historically emphasized local recognition and independent brewing credentials.
Beer
Cask ales
Cask ale is a core category associated with the brewery's regional English brewing heritage. The available reference identifies Renegade's predecessor as a local brewery recognized by CAMRA and SIBA, but does not provide a verified list of individual current cask brands or recipes.
Beer
Keg and packaged beers
The brewery produces beer for broader on-trade and retail use, including formats associated with keg service and packaged sales. Specific current product names, packaging formats, and distribution arrangements are not established in the supplied sources.
Beer
Seasonal and specialty beers
As a regional independent brewery, Renegade has a product scope that includes specialty or seasonal brewing alongside its regular beers. The supplied reference does not identify individual varieties or their launch dates, so no specific product claims are made here.
Brand decisions
2021
Yattendon Group acquisition and rebrandingM&ABackground
West Berkshire Brewery entered administration.
Action taken
The Yattendon Group acquired the brewery and renamed it Renegade Brewery.
Aftermath
The business continued under the Renegade Brewery identity, although detailed post-acquisition operating information is not available in the supplied reference.
2017
Develop an integrated brewery and hospitality siteStrategyBackground
The brewery sought to expand its customer-facing presence alongside production.
Action taken
A purpose-built Yattendon facility opened with a shop, bar, and restaurant.
Aftermath
The Yattendon site became both a production location and a direct retail and hospitality destination.
2007
Consolidate brewing at YattendonStrategyBackground
The company was operating from both Frilsham and Yattendon as it expanded.
Action taken
The Frilsham plant was closed and brewing operations were concentrated at Yattendon.
Aftermath
Yattendon became the brewery's sole production base.
2006
Increase fermentation capacityStrategyBackground
Continued growth required additional brewing and fermentation capacity.
Action taken
Additional fermenters were installed, raising reported capacity to approximately 80 barrels per week.
Aftermath
The investment supported the brewery's larger Yattendon-centered operation.
2000
Open a second production unit in YattendonStrategyBackground
The original Frilsham site had become too small as the business expanded.
Action taken
The brewery opened a second unit in Yattendon, increasing capacity to approximately 25 barrels per week.
Aftermath
The company continued to expand and later consolidated all brewing at Yattendon.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
West Berkshire Brewery launches Unbeatable Lager fundraiser[2]
Reported:
West Berkshire Brewery launched Unbeatable Lager and produced and donated 5,000 relabelled Renegade Lager cans to Eva’s parents to sell for fundraising.
Sources2 sources
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