The Wild Beer Co, based at Lower Westcombe Farm near Shepton Mallet has gone into administration due to "a number of adverse trading conditions" and is seeking a buyer to save its business.

Yesterday, the award-winning brewery said in a statement: "It is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform you that as of today we have entered into a period of administration. The administrators are attempting to seek out potential buyers to acquire the business, however, at this time we have made the decision to halt any trading. We will continue to provide updates as and when necessary."

The Somerset-based brewery, which was founded a decade ago by Andrew Cooper and Brett Ellis, has been renowned for its experimental beers that focused on core flavours, yeast strains and natural ingredients and also became known for the Wild Beer Co brand's stag head design and wax dipped bottles.

The Wild Beer Co added: "We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and love for our brand. It has been a wild ten years and we are heartbroken to be in this position. We could see the potential for Wild Beer and we had ambitions to increase sales and brand exposure. We must sadly report that the company has been facing a number of adverse trading conditions including; Covid, the loss of export sales, spiralling production costs, damaging inflation and an increase in interest rates that have all affected sales. These factors, along with the recent cost-of-living crisis have impacted the company's ability to succeed."

Sam Talby and Rob Coad of Undebt.co.uk have been appointed as Joint Administrators of The Wild Beer Co Ltd with effect from 2 December 2022 and are managing the affairs, business and property of the Company.

In 2017, The Wild Beer Co managed to garner the support of 1,900 investors and raised £1.76m via Crowdcube with the intention of building a new brewery, developing its barrel ageing, and growing its restaurant business.

A spokesman for the administrators, Undebt, said they were hopeful of interest in acquiring the business given Wild Beer's strong brand.