Devon


<p>It&#8217;s the annual celebration of all things beer-related, <a href="https://www.maltingsfest.co.uk">MaltingsFest</a>, happening this week (Thurs 18 &#8211; Sat 20 April), so what better time to celebrate some of our brilliant local brews and brewers. Race you to the beer tent for the largest range of cask ales in the South West, more than 100 keg beers, plus live music and, ooh, a gin bar. Can&#8217;t make it? Hotfoot to these local tap rooms for a freshly pulled pint instead.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tuckers-maltings-newton-abbot"><a href="https://themaltingstaphouse.co.uk">Tuckers Maltings</a>, Newton Abbot</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers.jpg" alt="Tuckers Maltings beers and cider " class="wp-image-64933" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/tuckers-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Taphouse describes itself as a Newton Abbot institution, and it is &#8211; a destination craft beer bar where you can sit outside with a pint serenaded by a live set in the sunshine. Sadly,  the Maltings itself was forced to close after 187 years in 2018, but it&#8217;s still pulling pints: 19 beers, cider and ales on tap at the last check. You&#8217;re spoilt for choice, including many a local Devon pint, courtesy of Utopian (a Muddy favourite), Hunt&#8217;s, Powderkeg (also a Muddy favourite) and a delicious Rib Tickler from Sandford Cider (also a Muddy.. you get the picture). Too many for just the one night &#8211; and that&#8217;s why people have been going back since way before I can remember.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topsham-brewery-exeter-quay"><a href="https://topshambrewery.co.uk">Topsham Brewery</a>, Exeter Quay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery.jpg" alt="Topsham Brewey " class="wp-image-64921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/topsham-brewery-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Topsham Brewery&#8217;s tap room has one of the best locations &#8211; not Topsham &#8211; but an atmospheric old warehouse which is sandwiched between the canal and the river on Exeter Quayside. Specialising in hand crafted, small batch beers and ales, along with guest beers, here doubles as a music venue and pizza place. Order your pint and take it outside to tuck into a savoury slice of Portal Pizza from their converted street food horse-box right by the water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sandford-orchards-crediton"><a href="https://www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/events/">Sandford Orchards</a>, Crediton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1503" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7.jpg" alt="Barny Butterfield " class="wp-image-37538" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7-333x500.jpg 333w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2021/11/sandford-cider-7-349x525.jpg 349w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cider with Barny! Sandford Orchards&#8217; tap room is open only for their monthly tours, when owner Barny (above) takes visitors on a witty wander around the stills, barrels and bottling equipment while you chortle over your sustainably made Devon cider. Tickets include a tasting&nbsp;flight and a&nbsp;stone-baked pizza&nbsp;with opportunity for questions at the end, plus you get 10% off all take home products and merch purchased on the night. Join the Sandford crew for <a href="https://www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/events/franklins-night/">Franklins Night</a> on Sat 18 May, when mummers will be depicting the tale of the fight between the devil and the cider maker, plus live music from Spin 2, food and plenty of cider. It has a wonderful communal feel &#8211; gather a few mates and go. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Cider Done Right, The Film" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O6EHny4Hb_U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Can&#8217;t make it? Watch this <a href="https://www.sandfordorchards.co.uk/blog/cider-done-right-the-film/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beautiful film</a> (above) with Barny telling his cider-making story, just in time for <a href="https://britishciderweek.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Cider Week</a> on 19 -28 April.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-old-firestation-topsham"><a href="https://www.topshamfirestation.co.uk">The Old Firestation</a>, Topsham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="623" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-1000x623.jpg" alt="The Old Firestation, Topsham" class="wp-image-61836" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-1000x623.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-800x499.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-768x479.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-842x525.jpg 842w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The newbie on the taproom scene, The Old Firestation has recently been converted from the old, yep, firestation, into a rather cool bar and eatery. It rocks a casual, open-plan layout where you can sip right next to the stills and a huge wooden beer cask with taps, serving their tasty local beers and Sandford Ciders. The menu is covered by a few different pop-ups, including Big Bear Burgers and Loluli’s Fire and Fish who cook up fresh fish over a hot grill. Lobster Mac n’ cheese anyone? Open daily midday until 10pm, and sometimes till later when the beer’s a-flowing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hanlons-brewery-newton-st-cyres"><a href="https://hanlons-brewery.myshopify.com">Hanlons Brewery</a>, Newton St Cyres</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/HALONS.jpg" alt="Hanlons Brewery " class="wp-image-64859" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/HALONS.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/HALONS-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/HALONS-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/HALONS-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Makers of real craft beer, Hanlons are family-run since the mid-90s, when Irish former rugby player, John O&#8217;Hanlon set up shop in London. Tired of folks asking for Guiness, he started brewing craft beer, moved to an old orchard in Devon, sold up to new owners, Dan Taylor and Jim Bungard and the place hasn&#8217;t looked back since. On the back of their popular pop-ups with&nbsp;street food van, La Cantina, they joined forces to launch the Beer Factory and Kitchen, serving up smokehouse platters in their converted barn and private smoke shacks, complete with blue tooth systems for your tunes. Open Thursday- Saturday, midday till 10pm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-things-happen-here-dartington"><a href="https://thingshappenhere.co.uk">Things Happen Here</a>, Dartington </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery.jpg" alt="Things Happen Here, Dartington " class="wp-image-54189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/newlion-brewery-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Formerly known as New Lion Brewery, as its new name suggests, <em>a lot</em> happens here, from reggae nights to vinyl supermarkets and games nights, plus the microbrewery serving up vegan-friendly beer and cider, and Pizzalogica and local pop-ups serving food from Wednesday through Sunday. It&#8217;s opposite a play park, so although it&#8217;s adults-only indoors after 7.30pm, here&#8217;s a family-friendly and laidback, with tables outside.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-old-warehouse-kingsbridge"><a href="https://theoldwarehousekingsbridge.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Old Warehouse</a>, Kingsbridge</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1440" height="925" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/warehouse.jpg" alt="The Old Warehouse, Kingsbridge " class="wp-image-64869" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/warehouse.jpg 1440w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/warehouse-800x514.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/warehouse-1000x642.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/warehouse-768x493.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px" /></figure>



<p>This taproom, kitchen and café is home to Moonhoney Mead, who are making a name for themselves thanks to their fabulous lunch and evening menu (Tues-Sat with the addition of brunch on Saturdays). On tap is a wide range of local beers and cider, plus their award-winning mead, brewed on the premises by owner Sam. It&#8217;s a lightly sparkling mead made with orange blossom honey which is very more&#8217;ish. The place is hip and happening, partly because it nails the cross-generational appeal thing, It&#8217;s really friendly, and laidback, and there&#8217;s music, as they say, <em>Every Folkin&#8217; Tuesday</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-hams-brewery-amp-taphouse-stokenham"><a href="https://southhamsdrinks.co.uk/tap-house">South Hams Brewery &amp; Taphouse</a>, Stokenham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/south-hamsbrewery.jpg" alt="South Hams Brewery Kingsbridge " class="wp-image-64925" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/south-hamsbrewery.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/south-hamsbrewery-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/south-hamsbrewery-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This family business, based at Stokely Farm Shop overlooking Start Bay, makes a wide range, from soft drinks to ciders and ales, including Wild Blonde which won Taste of the West Gold in 2023, and the popular Stumble Bee flavoured with their Stokeley honey.&nbsp;Their tap house is unusual in that because it doubles as the farm shop café, it&#8217;s open all day, every day &#8211; serving up everything from breakfast to Friday night pizza, Friday night music nights and Sunday lunch. So no excuse not to go and try a tipple. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taw-valley-brewery-north-tawton"><a href="https://www.tawvalleybrewery.com">Taw Valley Brewery</a>, North Tawton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley.jpg" alt="Taw Valley Brewery " class="wp-image-64935" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/taw-valley-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This super-local microbrewery cranks out their range of vegan-friendly craft ale from a old-school stainless steel rig. It&#8217;s a charming story of a family who upped sticks from Brighton and restored an old threshing barn (you can stay on site in their holiday cottage too). They now sell their brews in bottles straight from the rustic brewery, and out of the cask in their converted barn tap room on a Saturday afternoons when it opens through the summer. There&#8217;s always loads going on, from live music to BBQs, and a chance for the brave to try their homemade cider. Check their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tawvalleybrewery" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook for what&#8217;s on</a> in 2024. Save me a scrumpy!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coming-soon">Coming soon&#8230;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/Copy-of-Salcombe-Brewery-Co.-Brewery-Tours--1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64973" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/Copy-of-Salcombe-Brewery-Co.-Brewery-Tours--1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/Copy-of-Salcombe-Brewery-Co.-Brewery-Tours--800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/Copy-of-Salcombe-Brewery-Co.-Brewery-Tours--768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/Copy-of-Salcombe-Brewery-Co.-Brewery-Tours-.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>One for people who like to be first through the door &#8211; <a href="https://salcombebrewery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salcombe Brewery</a> is opening a brand new tap room this summer. Located on Salcombe&#8217;s Island Street, already home to artisan Devon distillers, including Salcombe Gin and Devon Rum, the new Salcombe Tap will be equipped with a brew kit allowing them to create unique beers available only at the new site. They&#8217;ll also be hosting Brew Days, where you can get hands-on and brew your own Salcombe beer. Cheers, m&#8217;dears!</p>


Still here! 9 local craft & microbreweries with tap rooms

You may also like