Ellesmere brewery looks to expand to produce cider and honey

Mad Badger Brewery, near Criftins in Ellesmere, is seeking to expand its site to produce cider and honey. Owner Simon Smith has submitted plans to add three polytunnels and a barn, describing the project as enabling “productive, sustainable use of the land.” The brewery would also develop an apple orchard and a new pond and wetland ecological resource already underway. Smith says the site has more than 200 fruit trees and plans to add another 200 in 2027. The application also includes beehives managed by Neil Perkins of Janna Bee, with wildflowers planted to support pollinators and improve honey quality.