Key facts
- Hall & Woodhouse reported a 16% increase in underlying profit before tax to £9.3 million for the year ending January 31, 2026.
- Total profit after tax for Hall & Woodhouse reached £8.9 million.
- Hall & Woodhouse developed a new cask ale, The Spanner, in partnership with James May.
- The Spanner is a 3.8% ABV cask ale brewed with British ingredients.
- The Spanner will be available in Hall & Woodhouse pubs and James May's pub, The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, from September 7.
Hall & Woodhouse, the independent family brewer and pub company, has announced a significant increase in its financial performance, with underlying profit before tax rising by 16% to £9.3 million for the year ending January 31, 2026. Total profit after tax for the period stood at £8.9 million.
The company, which is approaching its 250th anniversary in 2027, also revealed the launch of a new cask ale named 'The Spanner'. This brew was developed in collaboration with television presenter and pub owner James May. The 3.8% ABV ale is described as a simple, easy-drinking beer brewed with British ingredients, including English barley and hops, using Dorset water and a clean-tasting yeast.
James May, who owns The Royal Oak pub in Swallowcliffe, expressed his approval for the beer's straightforward approach, stating it is "a good, reliable British ale that makes you want to stay in the pub for another, and another." The Spanner is set to be available in Hall & Woodhouse's managed pubs and at The Royal Oak from September 7.
Hall & Woodhouse chairman Anthony Woodhouse noted that while the company is proud of its performance, challenging trading conditions persist due to factors such as punitive employment taxes and VAT discrepancies with supermarkets. He praised the management team for executing a compelling strategy that has positioned the company strongly ahead of its 250th birthday.