Brewery news

Bays Brewery Topsail has won champion beer of Britain for the South West in the bitters category and Bays Gold has won silver in the golden ales category.

Sunshine Pale Ale 4.2% abv has again been brewed exclusively for The South Devon CAMRA Beer Festival 2019 by Black Tor and 60 casks of the popular hoppy pale ale will be found in pubs across the South West before the beer festival.

Maximajor ESB 5.6% abv was launched in May, Black Tor’s latest limited edition cask ale is a full bodied, strong malty extra special bitter brewed with Maris other malt and English hops Goldings and Jester. They celebrated their third GOLD award in a year for their Raven 4.2% abv best bitter, winning a GOLD at The SIBA South West Beer Competition. Blonde 3.8% abv ale is now available in 500ml bottles.

Bridgetown Brewery’s Head Brewer George Langabeer recently swapped his mash paddle for a paintbrush and has redecorated the brewery throughout. He has also rebranded (though not renamed) the Bridgetown beers, redesigning all the pump clips.

Silver Award for Dartmoor Jail Ale in the Strong Bitters Category at the South West Champion Beer of Britain Competition.

New Lion Brewery was due to move this month into its new premises at Webbers Yard, Dartington, but plans have been slightly delayed due to Dartington Trust being unable to renovate the premises. The brewery now plans to move there during June and July. Once established, the ambitious plans to launch its community-owned enterprise will be set in motion. In the meantime the brewery continues to make White Label brews some of which were made in collaboration with local business. Mudskipper brewed together with Roam Brewing was reported as cloudy but delicious, and Taphouse Milkshake brewed with Taphouse Bottle Shop was also very popular while the fruit sours are continuing to be winners.

Riviera Brewing has started using British Hops from the Charles Faram Hop development program. Varieties include Jester and Olicana which are used for both bittering and Aroma providing fruit flavours. These will be included in Riviera Gold 4.2%, Beach Blonde 4.1% and Riviera Pale Ale 3.9% Drunken Porter 4.5% Torbay Express 4.8% and a special variant of Devonian 4.5% will also be available this Summer at local festivals in Devon Throughout 2019,

Salcombe Brewery are donating 5p of every pint of Lifesaver to the RNLI, as Salcombe commemorates 150 years of having its own Lifeboat Station. Owner of Salcombe Brewery Co., John Tiner, says: “We are committed to giving back to our local area and are thrilled to have the opportunity to support an important cause. Salcombe’s first Lifeboat Station was established in 1869 so 2019 marks 150 years of saving lives. We are keen to raise awareness of the invaluable role that the RNLI has played in our community for the last century and a half and to raise funds to support them in the continuation of this work. In 2019, we will be donating 5 pence to the RNLI for every draught pint sold of our much-loved and aptly named Lifesaver.” Lifesaver (abv 4.8%) is a tasty bronze coloured ale which boasts a pleasantly malty flavour with a smack of citrus and orange peel. The initial citrus flavour gently fades into a subtle liquorice and toffee character with a floral finish. Lifesaver is available on draught throughout pubs and bars in the South West.

St Austell’s Black Square – their Russian Imperial Stout – won a Championship Trophy at the recent International Brewing Awards

Summerskills Plymouth Porter featured in the JD Wetherspoon National Guest Ale programme between January and March and was well received. So much so in fact that the Packet Station in Falmouth, where the Porter went down particularly well, held a Tap Takeover featuring 8 of their beers over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. Special brew made with the last of the Tuckers Malt and First Gold hops “First Gold, Tuckers Last” was launched at the Tuckers Maltings Beer festival in April and has been very popular. They brewed the Show Beer for Devon County Show this year and as they are celebrating the Centenary of the Forestry Commission have produced “Forestry Centenary Ale” for the event. Brewed using lager malt, First Gold and Faram Fuggle hops it is a pale, easy drinking 4.1% refreshing beer, which will be on general release after the event. By the time you read this First Light should also be ready to go out into the trade and Ninja will be brewed over the Summer too. They are supporting the Summer Moon Festival for the first time this year, the Plymouth CAMRA beer festival at the end of June and we are looking forward to supporting the South Devon CAMRA beer festival at the end of July.

Totnes Brewing Company have taken out the bar in the back room making more space for seating and entertainment, and often showcase live music. Tropango continues to be a best-seller for those who like a fruity beer and the core ales Woodman and Spannerhand are hits with the traditionalists. In addition the brewery is devising very many ales.