Discover Devon: Explore Fossil Coast’s Handpicked Guide to the County’s Finest Beers and Breweries
- Wayne Munday
- 21 hours ago
- 15 min read
Sip back and discover the Devon and explore Fossil Coast's handpicked guide to the County's finest beers and breweries. While countries like Italy, France, and Portugal are known for wine, the United Kingdom has a deep-rooted beer heritage spanning over 5,000 years. British beer culture has long been shaped by native ingredients and traditional brewing practices. However, the rise of mass-produced lagers in the 1970s led to a decline in the quality and variety of traditional ales. In response, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) was founded in 1971 to protect traditional cask-conditioned beers. CAMRA revitalised public interest in regional styles and historic brewing methods. This sparked a broader movement, supported by pioneers like Peter Austin affectionately known as the father of micro-brewing, who helped launch microbreweries in the UK and abroad, promoting British brewing techniques globally. The late 20th century saw a revival and reinvention of classic British styles like bitters, mild's, porters, and pale ales. In the 21st century, the UK craft beer scene has grown rapidly, with hundreds of independent breweries producing small-batch beers that merge traditional roots with modern creativity. In 1980 the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) was founded to support and represent Britain’s independent breweries promoting beer made by prioritising quality, flavour, and sustainability. British craft brewers continue to prioritise authenticity, quality, and regional identity standing out against global beer conglomerates and keeping the UK central to the global craft beer movement.
Early British beers were very often a home-based craft and were sweet, sugary and flavoured with malted grains, yeast, gruit of herbs and spices, berries and honey. Before commercial brewing it was not uncommon for female entrepreneurs known as alewives to be at the heart local alcohol production typically brewing small batches at home for personal use and local sale.
It was not until the introduction of hops in the 18th century that saw the rise of iconic British beer styles notably the Porter, Bitter, Pale Ale and Mild. Today, British brewing has transformed in to a culture of craft beer built on centuries of experimentation, blending tradition and innovation.
Beer Producers and Breweries in Devon
Bays Brewery is a family-run brewery located in Torbay, Devon, established in 2007 by brothers Mark and Peter Salmon and their brother-in-law Will Freeland. Inspired by their coastal hometown, the brewery produces award-winning, high-quality beers, including both traditional ales and craft lagers, all brewed "the Devon way" to reflect the region’s heritage. Their flagship ales include Gold (4.3%) A refreshing golden ale with lemon citrus notes; Topsail (4.0%) A deep amber ale with a balanced and subtly sweet flavour; Devon Dumpling (5.1%) A strong, smooth premium ale and Silver Champion Beer of Britain 2018 and Claw (4.3%) a fruity copper ale that supports Paignton Zoo’s tiger conservation. The brewery is known for its dedicated team, excellent customer service, and active community involvement. Through pop-up event bars and charitable brews, Bays has supported local causes like Paignton Zoo and British Red Cross Ukraine appeal. Bays Brewery is also focused on sustainability. Its green initiatives include using rooftop solar panels for 60% of energy needs, biodegradable event cups, heat recovery systems, yeast reuse through anaerobic digestion, and reducing waste and emissions with modern vehicle upgrades. Additionally, they locally source 50% of their malt and hops, repurpose brewing byproducts as animal feed and compost and ensure no waste goes to landfill.
Branscombe Vale Brewery | Website
Branscombe Brewery is an award-winning microbrewery based in the picturesque village of Branscombe on the East Devon coast, part of England’s Jurassic Coast. Founded in 1992 by Paul Dimond and run by a small, dedicated team (alongside brewery dogs Jet and Darcy), it specializes in artisan real ales, small-batch gins, and craft ciders. The brewery reflects the charm and heritage of its historic surroundings, combining traditional brewing with modern craftsmanship. Branscombe’s beers are known for their balance, flavour, and smooth finish, with a core range that includes Branoc Bitter (3.8% ABV) a bronze amber session ale with subtle citrus and pine notes; Golden Fiddle (4.0% ABV) a golden pale ale featuring tropical fruit flavours and a crisp finish; Summa This (4.2% ABV) a rich, malty amber bitter with a velvety mouthfeel; Summa That (5.0% ABV) a strong, well-balanced golden pale ale with a punchy character and Mild (3.7% ABV) a dark, slightly sweet English mild, smooth and easy to drink. Branscombe Brewery offers a thoughtful blend of heritage, flavour, and craftsmanship, producing distinctive, high-quality drinks rooted in their coastal Devon location.
Copperhead Ales | Website
Jack and Jordan, lifelong friends who met in 2012, began their brewing journey in 2018 in a rented barn near Totnes, Devon. With Jack’s background in chemical engineering and brewing experience at Rebellion Brewery, and Jordan’s roots in Devon and career in endurance events, the pair bonded over their shared love for film, sport, and good beer. Inspired by a cycling trip from Montreal to New York visiting breweries, they began homebrewing on a 25-litre kit at Jordan’s farm. Their venture quickly scaled up from garage brewing in Newton Abbot to launching their Brewery & Taproom next to The Tamarind Tree in Totnes offering on-site pints, bottles, and a rotating blackboard menu of beers. They frequent Totnes Market and other local events and are soon expanding to include a bottle shop and communal taproom space, open to clubs and societies. Their beers reflect personal and cultural inspirations. The brewery’s name, Copperhead Road, pays homage to a country album, while beers like Pale Rider, Deliverance, and July Flame nod to films and music they love. Popular offerings include Copperhead Best Bitter (4.6%) their flagship beer, Pale Rider Pale Ale (4.1%), July Flame Pale Ale (5.5%), Crucial Pils (4.0%), Solitary Imperial Stout (8.2%) and Beastly Brown Ale (5.6%). All their beers are vegan.
Country Life Brewery | Website
Country Life Brewery, founded in 1998 using equipment from Lundy Island, began at the Pig on the Hill pub in Pusehill, Westward Ho! It expanded in 2001 and relocated in 2002 to its current site at The Big Sheep tourist attraction. A state-of-the-art brewery and bottling plant installed in 2005 boosted production to over 15,000 pints per week, making it North Devon’s largest brewer. The brewery combines modern technology with traditional methods to ensure consistent quality and has since expanded into craft gin production. Open to visitors, it features a retail shop and a working brewery. Their award-winning beers include Old Appledore Ale (3.7%) a classic English bitter with Maris Otter and roasted malts, Fuggles and Goldings hops; Reef Break (4.0%) a mild with sweet malty notes, brewed with Challenger and Cascade hops; Shore Break (4.4%) a light, easy-drinking ale popular in warmer months; Golden Pig (4.7%) the brewery’s original and most beloved ale, with crystal and wheat malts and Challenger hops; Board Break (4.5%) a smooth porter with smoky aromas, coffee and toffee notes and Country Bumpkin (6.0%) a strong ale with rich malt flavour, made with chocolate malt and Challenger hops. Country Life Brewery continues to be a leading name in Devon’s independent brewing scene.
Founded in 1994 in Princetown, Dartmoor Brewery is England’s highest brewery and proudly independent. It began behind the Prince of Wales pub and now operates from a purpose-built facility, producing award-winning traditional ales inspired by the rugged Dartmoor landscape. Their flagship beer, Jail Ale, is named after nearby Dartmoor Prison and embodies the bold local spirit. Their beers include Jail Ale (4.8%) a full-bodied, deep amber ale with malted fruit, citrus, and caramel; rich and award-winning; Dartmoor Legend (4.4%) a smooth, golden-amber English bitter with malty, bread-like flavours and a hint of spice; Dartmoor IPA (4.0%) a light, golden ale with floral and earthy notes, finished with tropical and citrus flavours; Dragon’s Breath (4.4%) a rich, ruby-brown ale with black treacle, liquorice, and Morello cherry notes and Dartmoor Zero (<0.5%) a non-alcoholic IPA full of hop flavour and refreshment. Dartmoor Brewery is committed to natural brewing methods, the brewery uses Dartmoor water, English malts, select hops, and its own yeast. It also champions sustainability through solar power, zero-waste brewing, recyclable packaging, and continuous eco-friendly innovation. Dartmoor Brewery is actively involved in the local community supporting initiatives like Dartmoor Mountain Rescue.
Hanlons Brewery | Website | Shop | Experience
John O’Hanlon’s journey from rugby player to brewery founder began with a post-match tradition of drinking stout mixed with port – a drink that inspired his future signature brew, Port Stout. Originally from Kerry, Ireland, he originally started his own brewery in a railway arch in Vauxhall before relocating to rural Devon in 2000, setting up in historic farm buildings in Newton St Cyres near Exeter. This location combined modern brewing techniques with traditional methods, allowing the brewery to grow and evolve and range of four core cask ales: Yellow Hammer (4.2%), Stormstay (5.0%), Port Stout (4.8%), and Firefly (3.7%). Hanlons’ core beer range offers a distinctive lineup of flavourful ales, each suited to different tastes and occasions. Yellow Hammer is a light, golden ale with tropical fruit aromas and a smooth, hoppy finish—perfect for summer social events. Stormstay is a dark amber premium bitter, rich with toffee, tangerine, and floral hop notes, ideal for year-round enjoyment. Port Stout is a robust chestnut stout enhanced with Ruby Port, delivering roasted malt, chocolate, and fruity warmth—an excellent choice for winter and hearty meals. Firefly Ale is a crisp amber session bitter with subtle fruit and citrus notes, offering a balanced, easy-drinking option for any time.
Noss Beer Works | Website
Noss Beer Works, located in the picturesque village of Noss Mayo in South Hams, Devon, brews locally crafted, award-winning beers exclusively for pubs and inns in the area. Inspired by the nearby Mew Stone Island, the brewery emphasizes passion and quality ingredients over profit. Their key beers include Church Ledge (4%), a light, zesty blonde IPA; Mew Stone (4.3%), a balanced copper ale with fruity and malty notes; and Ebb Rock (4.9%) a dark, full-bodied ale with spicy malt flavours and named after a nearby navigation hazard.
Otter Brewery | Website | Shop | Experience
Otter Brewery is a family-run brewery in Devon with over five generations of brewing heritage. Founded in 1990 at a farmhouse in the Blackdown Hills, it blends traditional craft with modern innovation, involving multiple family generations. The brewery focuses on producing high-quality beer using local ingredients like Dartmoor barley, classic UK hops, a unique yeast culture, and pure spring water from the River Otter. Otter Brewery offers a diverse range of beers, each with distinct qualities. Amber Fresh (4.0%) is a gently carbonated, cooler-served ale with lasting freshness. Otter Bitter (4.3%) is a classic, easy-drinking session beer with balanced malt and subtle bitterness. Otter Amber (4.0%), popular with younger drinkers, features citrus and spice notes with a balanced bitterness. Otter Bright (4.3%), a pale ale designed to appeal to lager drinkers, delivers fruity aromas and a smooth bitterness. Otter Ale (4.5%) is the brewery’s rich, full-flavoured original premium ale, blending malt and fruit notes. Otter Head (5.8%) is the strongest, a well-balanced strong ale with malty, fruity sweetness and a long bittersweet finish, ideal with food. Otter Brewery has grown steadily, upgrading to blend traditional brewing methods with modern technology. Sustainability is a core focus and also the collaborate with Devon Wildlife Trust on the “Saving Devon’s Treescapes” initiative, planting a tree in Devon for every barrel sold to combat climate change, support wildlife, and fight Ash Dieback disease.
Founded in 2014, Powderkeg is an independent, family-run microbrewery based in Devon. Led by co-founders John and Jess Magill, the brewery is built on principles of sustainability, ethical practices, and creative freedom. Powderkeg champions “Free-thinking beer”—flavourful, accessible brews that are vegan and gluten-free. The brand’s ethos is rooted in rebellion through creativity and enjoyment, encouraging customers to share in a lifestyle of inspiration, connection, and joy. John, a former executive with a microbiology degree, pursued brewing for six years before launching Powderkeg to bring modern craft beer to a traditionally underserved region. Alongside Jess, who leads brand and marketing, the duo brings passion and purpose to every aspect of the business. Over the past decade, Powderkeg has gained national and international acclaim for its bold, easy-drinking beers. As a brewer-owned and operated business, it prioritizes quality, innovation, and continual improvement. Their commitment to sustainability includes using high-efficiency brewing systems (85%), repurposing spent grain, working with zero-to-landfill waste services, and minimising transport emissions by selling mainly in Devon. Eco-conscious choices also extend to bioplastic can labels, organic cotton apparel, reused packaging, and paper-free operations. Staff are paid a living wage, enjoy flexible working, and the brewery supports local and ethical sourcing. Powderkeg is more than a brewery—it’s a movement that blends craft, conscience, and community to create beers that both delight and inspire.
Red Rock Brewery is dedicated to brewing high-quality, innovative beers that are as enjoyable to drink as they are to create. Their offerings are divided into two core ranges: the Craft Range, featuring modern bottled and keg beers born from a taproom lager concept, and the Traditional Range, showcasing classic British cask ales from light summer styles to hearty winter brews. With a diverse selection—including golden ales, robust seasonal beers, and hop-forward options—Red Rock appeals to a broad spectrum of tastes. The brewery also champions sustainability, employing energy-efficient systems, responsible waste management, and local distribution to minimise environmental impact and support the community.
Riviera Brewing Co | Website
Founded in 2014 by brewmaster Alan Waldron, Riviera Brewing Company is a South Devon-based microbrewery known for producing high-quality ales. The brewery focuses on precise temperature control and conditioning to ensure consistency, using premium ingredients like Maris Otter Floor Malt and a mix of British, European, and American hops for a balanced flavour and aromatic profile. Most ales are clarified with isinglass, though their porter and stout remain unfined. Riviera’s beer range blends traditional and modern styles. Notable brews include Devonian (4.1% ABV), a smooth amber ale with a floral-citrus finish; Drunken Porter (4.3% ABV), a malty dark ruby ale; and Beach Blonde, a summer ale brewed seasonally. Seasonal specials include The Witch’s Cat for Halloween and Christmas Gold (4% ABV), a festive pale ale with citrus and floral notes. Operating part-time, the brewery produces around 600 pints per month for local festivals, pubs, and home drinkers. It also appears at national events and maintains a strong local presence, especially during summer. Core beers—Gold, Devonian, and Best—are brewed on rotation, with Gold being the most in demand. Riviera Brewing also offers direct public sales.
Salcombe Brewery | Website | Shop | Experience
Salcombe Brewery Co., located in South Devon, is renowned for crafting award-winning beers that combine traditional brewing with modern innovation. They prioritize quality, sustainability, and community involvement, using locally sourced ingredients and environmentally conscious methods to protect the nearby coastal ecosystem. A key part of their ethos is environmental responsibility. They partner with The Seahorse Trust, donating part of the proceeds from their signature Seahorse ale to help conserve the local endangered seahorse species, which also features prominently in their branding. Additionally, they support grassroots conservation through the Devon Environment Foundation. Sustainability is integrated into their operations: the brewery is housed in a repurposed underground reservoir that naturally cools beer, reducing energy use. They utilize pure Devonian water from their own borehole, eliminate unnecessary plastics, and recycle brewing waste as animal feed. Salcombe offers two main beer ranges. The Heritage Range features classic British ales like Shingle Bay (4.2%), Devon Amber (3.8%), and Seahorse (4.4%), offering diverse flavors from crisp and fruity to rich and malty. The Discovery Range targets contemporary tastes with beers such as Salcombe Pale Ale (4.6%), Island Street Porter (5.9%), Sun Drop (4.6% gluten-free), and Breeze Lager (4.0%). With SALSA plus Beer accreditation and over 30 awards, Salcombe Brewery also invites the public for weekly tours, tastings, and Q&A sessions, highlighting their dedication to quality and sustainable brewing.
South Hams Brewery | Website | Experience
South Hams Brewery is a family-run business in Devon that has grown from modest beginnings into a modern craft drinks producer. Founded in 2002 as Sutton Brewery and rebranded in 2014, it is now headed up by Sam, who continues the legacy of his father, Mark. The brewery produces over 22,000 litres of beverages weekly and has become known for its award-winning ales, ciders, soft drinks, and mulled wine. Its Tap House serves as a hub for sharing its products directly with loyal customers. Key milestones include winning a SIBA Gold Award in 2015 for Wild Blonde (4.4%), gaining full SIBA accreditation in 2017, and opening a new purpose-built brewery and Tap House café in 2018. The 2019 acquisition of Ashridge Ciders and Soft Drinks expanded the business, followed by a brand refresh in 2020. In 2023, South Hams Brewery earned multiple prestigious awards, including six golds and a platinum from the Food & Drink Devon Awards and top honours at the Soil Association’s BOOM Awards for its organic Vintage Cider. Signature beers such as Devon Pride (4.1%), Stumble Bee (4.2%), Eddystone IPA (4.8%), and Stones Pilsner (4.1%) highlight the brewery’s dedication to quality, tradition, and innovation. All are brewed using their own SHB 35-year yeast strain. With deep local roots and a forward-looking approach, South Hams Brewery continues to grow while staying true to its Devon heritage and community values.
Stannary Brewing Co | Website | Shop | Experience
Stannary Brewing Company, located in Tavistock, Devon, was born from a simple conversation between lifelong friends Mark Stephens, Chris John, and Garry White, united by their passion for bold, full-flavoured craft beer. What began as a homebrewing hobby quickly evolved into a commercial venture when the trio acquired an old microbrewery and sold their first pint in August 2016. Initially brewing from a garage, they soon outgrew the space and, in 2018, moved into a larger, permanent facility. This expansion included the addition of a taproom, warehouse, and chilled store, followed by the installation of a state-of-the-art brewhouse and fermentation system in 2019. Stannary’s beers are known for their modern, flavour-forward style that balances traditional influences with innovative brewing. All their offerings are vegan-friendly, unfined, and unfiltered, ensuring a natural and robust taste. Their core range includes standouts like the gluten-free Stannary Pale Ale (4.0%), the citrus-packed Winnemucca IPA (5.4%), the juicy and hop-forward We Go Again (4.8%), the rich and malty Rust Belt Brown Ale (5.5%), and the smooth Pitch Blk Stout (4.4%). Creativity drives the brewery’s evolution, with their Anomalies Range featuring experimental styles such as hazy New England IPAs. Seasonal specials like Verde, brewed with locally sourced Challenger hops, highlight their commitment to local ingredients and fresh, dynamic flavour profiles. Open Friday through Sunday, the brewery’s taproom offers visitors a chance to enjoy their beers alongside Devon-produced ciders, wines, and spirits in a relaxed, community-focused setting.
Summerskills Brewery | Website
Summerskills Brewery, located in Plymstock, Devon, has been a respected name in the region’s real ale scene since its founding in 1983 by Adam Summerskill. Originally based in a vineyard in Bigbury, the brewery relocated to its current site in 1985. After a brief production pause in 1988, the brewery was revived in 1990. Today, under the ownership of Norm, Summerskills continues to blend tradition with modernisation. Dedicated to crafting cask and bottle-conditioned real ales, the brewery uses locally sourced ingredients, including English whole leaf hops from Herefordshire and Worcestershire and malt from Tuckers in Newton Abbot. Its distinctive “wet” yeast strain helps reduce waste while enhancing flavour, and spent grains are fed to local cattle, reflecting the brewery’s commitment to sustainability. Summerskills’ beers are available throughout Plymouth, West Devon, the South Hams, Torbay, and Cornwall. Signature brews include Start Point (3.4%), a golden session ale with a clean, bittersweet finish; Devon Dew (4.5%), a floral ale with lemon and grapefruit notes; and Bolt Head (4.7%), a ruby ale with fruity, citrus tones. Other offerings like Westward Ho!, Tamar Best Bitter, Indiana’s Bones, and the robust Plymouth Porter (5.0%) further showcase the brewery’s diverse range. With seasonal and collaborative brews such as Devon Frost, Summerskills remains a proud representative of Devon’s brewing heritage valued for its quality, sustainability, and enduring connection to the local community.
Teignworthy Brewery, located in Newton Abbot, Devon, is renowned for producing some of the region’s finest traditional ales. Operating from a historic tower-style brewhouse based on Victorian principles, the brewery has built its reputation on time-honoured brewing methods and a steadfast commitment to local sourcing. By using ingredients from nearby businesses—such as malt from the Westcountry and hops from Herefordshire—Teignworthy not only reduces food miles but also supports the regional economy, embodying a philosophy that great beer starts with local, quality ingredients. The brewing process at Teignworthy is rooted in traditional techniques. Malt is infused with hot liquor to create malt extract, which is then boiled with English hops. After rapid cooling, the hopped extract is fermented in open squares, where a foaming canopy forms as the yeast interacts with air, producing distinct flavours. The yeast is harvested post-fermentation to sustain future brews. After fermentation, the ale is cooled, conditioned, and clarified with finings before being delivered fresh to pubs across Devon and Somerset. Teignworthy’s diverse range includes nine bottled ales and several award-winning brews. Core beers include Reel Ale (4.0%), a smooth, easy-drinking session beer; Thirsty Blonde (4.2%), a dry and crisp pale ale; and Gun Dog (4.3%), a floral bronze ale. Old Moggie (4.4%) and Beachcomber (4.5%) offer citrus-forward profiles and have won recognition at regional beer festivals. For deeper, richer tastes, Martha’s Mild (5.3%) delivers sweet, dark complexity, while seasonal brews like Christmas Cracker (6%) and Cor Bugga (6.2%) provide warming, robust experiences.
TQ Beerworks | Website
TQ Beerworks is a family-run microbrewery in South Brent, Devon, dedicated to producing bold, modern craft beers that bring new energy to the local scene. Influenced by London’s dynamic brewing culture, the founders returned to the South West to create beers that merge regional character with contemporary styles. Using pure Dartmoor water, Norfolk-grown barley, and premium American and Antipodean hops, TQ Beerworks focuses on quality and flavour. Their beers are unfined, unfiltered, and vegan-friendly, ensuring a natural, full-flavoured experience. Their core range includes a crisp Pale Ale (4.2%), a rotating American Pale Ale with evolving hop profiles, a robust, tropical IPA (6.2%), and a smooth, rich Stout (5.4%). They also brew seasonal and limited-edition beers like Double Stout and Torbaydos. At their Torquay taproom, visitors can enjoy a rotating selection of 10 keg and 4 cask lines, alongside guest beers and ciders, with scenic sea views.
Utopian Brewing, located in Crediton, Devon, is a modern craft brewery renowned for its dedication to producing premium British lagers using only 100% British-grown ingredients. Committed to sustainability and tradition, Utopian supports local agriculture by sourcing hops and malting barley from within the UK, significantly reducing food miles. Their beers are brewed naturally, containing only water, malt, hops, yeast, and time—free from additives, finings, or enzymes. Traditional methods such as cold conditioning and extended lagering ensure clarity, balance, and depth of flavour. Sustainability is central to Utopian’s ethos. The brewery uses eco-friendly practices like natural carbonation, on-site nitrogen generation, and plastic-free packaging. With future plans including solar energy and wastewater treatment, Utopian is working towards becoming carbon neutral. They also support local causes, donating 50p from each can of Doppelbock to the Devon Wildlife Trust. Utopian’s core and seasonal offerings highlight their creativity and craftsmanship. The Unfiltered British Lager (4.7%) is crisp and smooth with a natural mouthfeel. The Tmavé Pivo (4.2%) is a dark lager brewed with a decoction mash, delivering rich notes of toffee and caramel with a clean finish. The Doppelbock (7.5%) offers a deep, complex body with aromas of bread crust and dark fruit, lagered for 10 weeks for full flavour development. Vienna Keller (4.8%) showcases bready malt character balanced by light spice from British hops. The Hop Thief Cold IPA (5.8%), inspired by West Coast IPAs, is brewed with lager yeast for a crisp, clean finish and vibrant hop profile. Finally, the Dark Lager (4.5%) combines roasted malt depth with smooth drinkability.