Changing Times Brewery, the independent family-founded brewery in Glasnevin, has launched in the UK market, with the expansion expected to increase sales this year by over 30%.
The UK launch marks the brewery’s first move into an international market less than two years since it was established by the families behind some of Ireland’s best-known pubs.
€1.8m was invested by around a dozen prominent Dublin and Cork publicans in the brewery when it was formed in November 2024.
The pubs in the venture include The Palace Bar, The Long Hall, The Swan, The Bankers, Arthur Maynes in Donnybrook, Devitts, Doheny & Nesbitts, Sheehans, Lemon & Duke, The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, The Bank, McSorleys, Darkey Kelly’s and The Ferryman.
Pat Rigney, the owner of The Shed Distillery, joined as chair last year.
Other partners in Changing Times include publican Benny McCabe and brewer Shane Long, the founder of the Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork, who oversees Changing Times brewing operations.
The company said that UK wholesale drinks supplier Inn Express will manage distribution for its products, with initial listings for the brewed Irish beer secured across more than 50 outlets nationwide this year.
These include high-profile pub groups Windmill Taverns in London and Pillings in Manchester, with further independent pubs and bar groups set to come on stream across London, Manchester, Birmingham and other major cities over the coming months.
The business generated over €1.2m in sales in 2025, its first full year of operation and projects sales growth of over 30% in 2026 following the UK market launch.
From an initial two beers when it first launched, Changing Times has now expanded its range to a total of five individual draft offerings, including Daydreamer Lager, Clockwork Stout, After Hours Hazy Pale Ale, Bleedin’ Red Ale and Timeless Nitro Red Ale, all brewed at its facility in Glasnevin in Dublin.
Shane Long, Head of Brewing Operations at Changing Times, said that things moved much quicker than we expected.
“We had always planned to expand into the UK, but our timeline was a little further down the road. The team at Inn Express came across Changing Times while visiting pubs over here,” he explained.
“They were searching for a new premium Irish stout, and they got in touch. From those first conversations it was clear there was a real appetite for what we were doing. It was an opportunity we didn’t want to let pass, so we brought our plans forward and got to work,” he added.
Pat Rigney, Chair of Changing Times Brewery, said that breaking into international markets in any industry is not for the faint-hearted and it is as tough as it gets when it is the drinks industry.
“The publicans behind Changing Times have truly built something exceptional. To be forecasting 30% growth by year-end, despite only launching in the UK midway through the year, is a strong endorsement of both the quality of the beers and the strength of the Changing Times brand,” he added.