Local Ale

The UK has seen a resurgence of real ale drinking in the last year or so; but it is only in the past few months that this has been given any noteable media attention.  Reports have shown that lager sales are falling as greater numbers of people seek the more refined and varied taste of ale.

This blog post is all about outstanding local real ales from all over this fantastic county we call home, Cornwall.

Cornwall is able to lay claim to some excellent real ales; from larger scale production down to micro-breweries.  With a vast array of flavours and styles there is something out there for every beer drinker.

We begin our tour of the county close to home in Truro with Skinner's Brewery.

Having run brew pubs in Jersey Steve Skinner moved to Cornwall, initially, to bring the concept of brew pubs into the county.  However when this didn't prove successful he opened up his own brewery in Truro.  Originally with only three beers the brewery now produces 8 along with various guest beers throughout the year.
Although now regarded as one of the biggest breweries in Cornwall the attention given to the brewing process is still paramount and is reflected in the quality of the end product and the amount of awards the brewery has achieved.  With such a good quality product and brand the brewery were able to go slightly tongue in cheek with the other aspects of the beer.  With such a rich history of folklore in Cornwall these stories are where the inspiration for naming their beers' came from and where the tongue in cheek approach manifests itself.
We currently stock 5 of their beers, 'Cornish Knocker',  'Cornish Blonde', 'St. Piran's Ale', 'Betty Stogs' and 'Skinners Lager' now known as 'Skindog Surf Beer'.

Available in store.

Real Ale at £2.10

Skindog surf beer £1.70

Being hailed as an alternative to long established local brews such as Tribute and Doom Bar this infant brewery has certainly been wetting a few palates.  Established by the former licensee of The Queens Hotel in St. Ives in April of this year, Marco Amura has hit the ground running.  Seeing a gap in the brewing market in the St. Ives area Marco has done a great job plugging it with his first brew and is already suppling top quality restaurants and farm shops county wide.  With only a single beer available at the moment, 'Boilers', we eagerly await Marco's next ale which is coming this autumn.

Available in store.

£2.20 a bottle or 

6 for the price of 5.

Owned by old pub landlord John Heard, Tintagel Brewery sits with the highest farmhouse in Cornwall at Condolden Farm on the rugged north Cornish coast.  Using their own fresh spring water, a converted milking parlour, English malts and wet yeast, a team consisting of John, local enthusiasts and an experienced brewer began production in 2009.

Their first brew was 'Gul Rock' and is now a firm favourite with locals and holiday makers alike.  We not only stock this, their original brew but their other 3 prize winning beers, 'Castle Gold', 'Harbour Special' and 'Cornwall's Pride'.

 

Available in store.

All £2.10 a bottle.

This microbrewery is situated in what was once a tin mining warehouse, now turned pub and guest house.  The pub (named one of the top 5 of the best 50 best pubs in the country 2011 by the Times) takes it name from the large timber beams (spars) that are said to be from ships wrecked along the coast.
Driftwood spars have crafted 9 different ales of varying style and taste.  Their success is seen in that production was doubled in the second year to meet demand and continues to grow year on year.  These beers are so good that two of them are shortlisted for the 2012 Champion Beer of Britain.
We currently stock three of their ales; 'Blackheads', 'Lou's Brew' and  'Trouble and Strife'.

Available in store.

All £2.40 a bottle.

In the tough economic climate of 2008 the partners at Medlicott's Farm near Altarnun in north Cornwall decided to diversify and enter the beer brewing trade.  The enterprise was set up by Dee and Stephen Medlicott and Joe Thomson in a converted cattle barn on the farm.  At the time of setting up the business Joe was believed to be the youngest brewer in the county at 22. The brewery aim to use as many local ingredients as possible, with Cornish spring water from the farm borehole, floor malted barley from Newton Abbott and future plans to produce their own barley and hops on the farm.

We currently stock four of their brews, 'An Howl', 'Shipwreck Coast', 'Penpont Porter' and their 'Ginger Beer'.

Available in store.

All £2.20 a bottle.

Lastly but my no means least we have a single beer from a very different brewer.  The beer in question has been in the news for different reasons; it was the first beer of it's kind to ever be made and it encountered some controversy as to wether it is a beer or an alcopop.  Truly Wild produce a beer made from stinging nettles called Cornish Stinger.  Brewed in the traditional way using the finest cornish nettle tips and filtered to maintain a crisp clarity, this beer is unique as it contains no malts and is 100% wheat and gluten free.
A beverage with many uses, either to be drunk as a beer, in a cocktail or as a sparkling wine alternative.
Finding themselves at the center of a large legal battle, Foodswild had their entire stock ceased as the EU claimed it was classified as 'made-wine' rather than beer; however under UK laws the product clearly falls within the definition of beer. As a result Cornish Stinger could help to re-write the rule book on who set laws on alcoholic drinks; the home nation or the EU.
The beer is now back in production and we are very pleased to see it back on our shelves.

Available in store.

£2.50 a bottle.