With plenty of warm sunny weather on the way, we thought we’d put together a list of 11 of our favourite Cornish beers to help guests at The Valley’s luxury Cornwall cottages assuage their thirst whilst out and about around the county.
The last few years have seen an explosion in the popularity of Cornwall’s locally-brewed beers with many now gracing supermarket shelves and bars across the UK and beyond. There are also now lots of small brewing operations in Cornwall producing some very interesting and high quality ales both on draught and in bottles.
So after a long day frolicking in the surf, stretching out on golden sands, or exploring the miles of stunning coastal paths, why not seek out some of these favourite beers to add an extra glow to your Cornish holiday experience! There are many great pubs, bars and restaurants to be found serving these liquid delights, and a number of these breweries also offer tours where you can sample different brews whilst finding out about their history and methods of production.
- Tribute
Pay tribute to this Cornish Pale Ale produced by St Austell Brewery, the official beer of the South West Rugby Union.
- Spingo
Produced by Blue Anchor in Helston, the oldest Inn in Britain and located in the most southerly town in Cornwall, Spingo embodies the history of Cornwall.
- Alfie’s Revenge
Voted the UK’s best old ale and best overall winter beer for 2012 at the National Winter Ales Festival by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), at 6.5% this Driftwood Spars (St. Agnes) favourite is the perfect pint to keep the cold out after a day surfing.
- Potion 9
The ninth brew by the Penzance Brewing Company, at just 4% this beer is light and smooth.
- Harbour Brewing IPA
A modern take on a classic, complete with citrus undertones, it can be found in Padstow.
- Penryn Pale Ale
Named after the Cornish town itself, Rebel Brewery‘s ale takes on hints of peach and lemongrass and is the perfect companion to a Cornish cheese board.
- Porthleven
A special edition ale for Skinners Brewery, named after one of Cornwall’s world class surf breaks, this beer is pale, fruity and zingy.
- Betty Stoggs
Skinners Brewery‘s best-selling, award-winning drink is light and easy to drink. One Betty is never enough…
- Doombar
Named after a notorious sandbank in the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall, this is the number one selling cask beer in the UK, produced by Sharps.
- Admiral’s Ale
St Austell Brewery first brewed this ale in 2005 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The ale is produced using Cornish Gold malt and locally grown barley.
- Proper Job
No list would be complete, without this St Austell Brewery favourite. Brewed with Cornish spring water and a single malt made from Cornish grown Maris Otter Pale barley.