Mousehole AFC is proud and honoured this week to further strengthen our new partnership with Keltek Cornish Brewery. The Redruth-based company have become our new front-of-shirt sponsors, as well as taking over the supply of beer, wines and spirits for our clubhouse. Other exciting ventures are in the pipeline as we develop this collaboration over the next three years.
Early in the discussions towards this partnership, Stewart Cawte from Keltek suggested that the brewery produce a new lager for us specifically to commemorate a moment in our history that has in many ways come to define the ethos of our club. The tragic loss of eight lifeboatmen aboard the Penlee lifeboat in December 1981 will forever be in the hearts of our community. Following on from the naming of our stand after the lifeboat, we are now proud to announce the launch of the Solomon Brown lager. This will be on sale in our clubhouse alongside other beers from the brewery. For every pint of Solomon Browne sold, a donation of 10p will be made to the RNLI.
Mousehole AFC Vice-President Brian Richardson said: “It is an absolute delight and honour to be invited by Keltek to launch their new beer, Solomon Browne. This opportunity is especially meaningful as members of the club were actively involved with the lifeboat, and their ancestors played a vital role in founding our football club—a true testament to the deep connections between our community, its history, and this special brew.”
Stewart’s connection to local football runs deep, having played for Saltash and managed both Saltash and Tavistock before stepping back to concentrate on the brewing business in 2016/17.
We sat down with Stewart to find out more about this new venture.
Q: How did this new partnership come about?
A: “When (Mousehole commercial manager) Darren Buckley got in touch with a proposal, it just felt right. We’d had discussions with Truro City before, but nothing ever materialized, and with the silly money flying around in football, it was never something we were going to chase. I’ve played at a high standard myself and been involved in football management, so I understand the financial challenges of running a club, especially at the grassroots level. When I look at Mousehole, having played there for 15, maybe even 20 years, the progress they’ve made—especially in the last few years—is incredible. They’re not a million miles behind clubs like Truro City, and structurally, they’re not far off Torquay either, apart from the bigger crowds.
So when I sat down with Adam Fletcher and Ben Gibson, I asked, ‘What are your aspirations? Where do you want to go? What players are you bringing in?’ And it just clicked. I understood exactly what they were about and where they wanted to be. It wasn’t just about getting our brand out there—it was about genuinely supporting a local side with ambition.”
Q: What was the spark that led to the new Solomon Browne lager?
A: “Launching the Solomon Browne beer was an absolute no-brainer for us. The Penlee Lifeboat disaster remains a deeply significant event, not just for those directly affected, but for the entire community, even more than 40 years later. People are still talking about it with passion, and we wanted to find a meaningful way to pay tribute. After doing our research, it was clear that the name ‘Solomon Browne’ was synonymous with bravery and sacrifice. We worked closely with a graphic designer to ensure the beer’s branding truly reflected the story behind it, and when we presented it to Darren and Ben, they were blown away.
But this isn’t just about remembrance—it’s also about giving back. For every pint of Solomon Browne sold, 10p goes directly to the RNLI, supporting the lifesaving work they continue to do today. With 88 pints in a barrel, that means every barrel contributes £8.80 to a truly worthy cause. It’s our way of ensuring that the legacy of those lost lives on, while also helping those who continue to risk their lives at sea.”
Q: And for the beer purists reading this, tell us more about the lager itself
A: “Our lager is a 4% Pilsner—designed as a session beer, so it’s not too strong, allowing people to enjoy a couple of pints responsibly. It’s crisp, clear, and truly unique. This is Cornwall’s own lager, brewed specifically for us, and that’s a real USP. In fact, we’re the only Cornish Pilsner at 4% made right here in Cornwall, which makes it an absolute standout—not just for us, but for Solomon Browne as well. From our perspective, it’s a win-win.”
