Steve Birch, head brewer at Mauldons Brewery, based on Sudbury’s Chilton industrial estate, celebrates having made 25 million pints

ross.waldron@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 14:27, 16 April 2025

| Updated: 14:59, 16 April 2025

A brewer will celebrate having made 25 million pints later this month – the equivalent of nearly six Olympic-size swimming pools worth of beer.

Steve Birch has been with Suffolk’s oldest brewery, Mauldons, for nearly 45 years, which the Sudbury business believes means he holds the longest tenure at a single brewery in the UK.

The Chilton industrial estate brewery said the milestone underpins Steve’s ‘unparalleled expertise and passion’, and under his guidance it tripled its seasonal specials offering to 12 annually.

Steve Birch, head brewer at Mauldons Brewery, will celebrate having made 25 million pints later this month. Picture: Submitted

Steve Birch, head brewer at Mauldons, with a batch of Black Adder fermenting in the fermentation vessel. Picture: Ross Waldron

In October 2023, Mauldons marked Steve’s 40th anniversary with the team by naming its new cold store after him.

Steve said: "Reaching 25 million pints is a huge milestone, but I’m not done yet.

“I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries with new brews while staying true to the traditional techniques that make Mauldons’ beers what they are."

Steve and The Birch Building's commemorative plaque. Picture: Ross Waldron

Steve Birch, Mauldons Brewery's head brewer, said he’s ‘not done yet’ after he hits the 25-million pint milestone. Picture: Alexander Parnell Photography

Mauldons said Steve has been instrumental in shaping its expansion over the years, with which industry recognition has followed.

It struck gold in 2023 when it took home the title of Best British Bitter for its Suffolk Pride at recent Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA) East Independent Beer Awards.

As well as this, one of the brewery’s flagship products, Black Adder, was crowned Champion Beer of Britain in 1991.

Mauldons Brewery managing director Charlie Buckle and head brewer Steve Birch. Picture: Submitted

Steve being presented with a plaque by Mauldons owner Charlie Buckle when the brewery celebrated his 40th anniversary beer, Brewers Bitter, in 2023. Picture: Ross Waldron

Charlie Buckle, owner of Mauldons, said: “Steve’s dedication and skill have been the heartbeat of Mauldons for over four decades.

“To brew 25 million pints at a single brewery is an extraordinary achievement—one we believe is unmatched in the UK.

“His passion for traditional brewing methods, paired with a drive for innovation, is the reason our beers continue to win fans year after year.”

Mauldons Brewry is based on Sudbury's Chilton Road Industrial Estate. Picture: Submitted

Steve seeing the plaque adorning the Birch Building, which was named in his honour to celebrate his 40th anniversary with the brewery. Picture: Ross Waldron

The Birch Building is where the brewery’s products are stored at cellar temperatures to maintain their freshness for a longer period of time, which facilitated a doubling in size of the business.

Mauldons is also celebrating a 50 per cent uptick in its pub trade over the past year, driven by its classic range and expanded portfolio of seasonal beers.

Business Sudbury Suffolk Homepage Ross Waldron