➤ Local Ale & Cider Breweries

We are very lucky in North Devon because we have plenty of choice when it comes to breweries.

Currently, North Devon CAMRA has 13 active breweries in its area.

Breweries in ND area

Please click on the link for more information. If you do come across an active brewery in the North Devon CAMRA area that is not listed, please do contact us so that we may include it.

Barum - BARUM BREWERY

Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple EX31 1PD, Phone 01271 329994

Barum was established in 1996 by Tim Webster and is housed in a conversion attached to the Reform Inn, which acts as the brewery tap and main outlet. Distribution is exclusively within Devon.

Buckland Brewers - BUCKLAND BREWERS

Higher Thornhill Head, Buckland Brewer, Bideford EX39 5NU, Phone 01805 601625

Brewing began in 2016. The original plant was replaced in 2018 with a new purpose-built microbrewery. It specialises in Belgian-style bottle-conditioned beers, which are now supplied to more than 40 local pubs, farm shops, restaurants and visitor attractions.

Clearwater Brewery - CLEARWATER BREWERY

Unit 1, Little Court, Manteo Way, Bideford EX39 4FG, Phone 01237 420492

Established in 1999, Clearwater is a 10-barrel brewery regularly supplying more than 250 outlets across the south west and nationally with its Devon’s Own-labelled beers. Beers are always available at The Champ, Appledore. Although no longer the brewery tap, this community owned local remains closely connected to the brewery.

Combe Brewing Company Limited - COMBE BREWING

Unit 4 Lundy View, Mullacott Cross Industrial Estate, Ilfracombe EX34 8PY, Phone 07973488409

Combe Brewing started their brewing life in March 2020 in a recently closed and mothballed brewery, just before the Covid-19 lockdown was put in place. Despite this inauspicious start, they continued brewing and producing Bottled Conditioned Ale to meet the small but growing clientele base. They hired the brewer, Carly O'Callaghan, from the previous brewery due to her skill and produce just three Ales in both Cask and Bottles. The owners, Richard and Michelle, have previous experience in the trade and wish to produce consistently good quality ale. They have a 5 barrel capacity and wish to produce two brews a week.

Country Life Brewery - COUNTRY LIFE BREWERY

The Big Sheep, Abbotsham Rd, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5AP Tel 01237 420808.

Country Life is based at the Big Sheep tourist attraction. The brewery offers a beer show and free samples in the shop during the peak season (April- October). A 15.5-barrel plant was installed in 2005, making Country Life the biggest brewery in North Devon. Regular, seasonal and bottle-conditioned beers are available at about 100 outlets, the Brewery Shop at the Big Sheep Shop, and online.

Grampus Brewery - GRAMPUS BREWERY

The Grampus Inn, Lee, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 8LR, Phone 01271 862906

Grampus was established in 2014 at the back of the Grampus Inn by Bill Harvey, the pub owner and brewer. It is a small plant using traditional brewing methods, but combining unique and unusual ingredients. All beers are available in the local area.

GT Ales - GT ALES

Unit 5, The Old Aerodrome, Barnstaple EX31 4AY, Phone 01271 267420.

GT Ales was established in Barnstaple in 2013, producing only bottle-conditioned beers, before relocating to larger premises in Braunton in 2015. All six regular award-winning ales are available in cask and found in many local and rural pubs. An onsite brewery shop allows for off-sales of the popular canned range. Limited edition small-batch brews are regularly produced.

Holsworthy Ales - HOLSWORTHY ALES

Unit 5 Circuit Business Park, Clawton, Holsworthy EX22 6RR, Phone 07879 401073

Holsworthy Ales is a 5.5-barrel microbrewery situated in the heart of Devon’s Ruby Country. Brewing began commercially in 2011. Its intention is to make its beers taste as clean and natural as possible, so no chemicals or finings are added to the soft Devon water used in many of its ales.

Open evenings will be held across 2024 between 5.30pm and 9.30pm Range of Beers, Cider & Wine with different local caterers each time. SAT 27/04 SAT 25/05 SAT 29/06 SAT 27/07 SAT 31/08 SAT 28/09 SAT 26/10

Madrigal Craft Brewery - MADRIGAL CRAFT BREWERY

2 Hele Business Park, Witheridge Place, Hele Bay, North Devon, EX34 9RA, Phone 07857 560677

Originally established in Combe Martin in 2014, the brewery relocated to larger premises in Lynmouth and has now relocated again to a new site in Hele Bay, Ilfracombe.
Brewing is currently suspended..

Tally Ho! Brewery - TALLY HO! BREWERY

14 Market Street, Hatherleigh, Devon, EX20 3JN, Phone 01837 810306

Having stood idle at the rear of the Tally Ho! pub for 14 years, the brewery was resurrected by four brewing enthusiasts in 2015. A new owner and brewer took over in 2018. Now in JULY 2024 the pub has become a joint venture between two local businessmen and Utopian Brewery. They are hoping to breathe new life into the brewery equipment once the pub is established again.

Taw Valley Brewery - TAW VALLEY BREWERY

Westacott Lane, North Tawton EX20 2BS, Phone 07900 002299

Established in 2017 in a Grade-II listed 17th. century thatched barn - the only one in the UK. The taproom is open on Saturdays 3-6pm across the summer with 2 casks and Taw Valley Scrumpy always available. The Bottle shop is open by appointment, most days - just call ahead and local (10 miles) delivery is available on a Friday for 9pint and 18pint bag-in-boxes. Beers born from the crystal clear Taw Valley spring water drawn from the brewery's own well.

Yelland Manor Brewery - YELLAND MANOR BREWERY

Yelland, Barnstaple EX31 3EN, Phone 07770 267592

Located on the Taw Estuary and close to the Tarka Trail, this is a five-barrel plant in a converted milking parlour. The brewery began production in 2013 and supplies a small number of local pubs and hotels, although the majority of sales are now made from the premises, either as takeaways or for consumption as part of a ’brewery experience’. Small functions are also catered for, together with regular steak, and fish n’ chip evenings.

Real Cider Producers in North devon

CAMRA's Definition of Real Draught Cider & Perry:

• Ingredients

o The liquid content before fermentation must consist entirely of non-pasteurised apple (cider), or pear (perry) juice

o No apple or pear juice concentrates to be used.

o Normally, only the sugar naturally available in the fruit should be used to cause fermentation, but in years when the level of natural sugar in the fruit is low, the addition of extraneous sugar to aid fermentation is acceptable.

• Process

o No pasteurisation to take place during the production process.

o No added colourings to be used.

o No added flavourings to be used, except pure fruits, vegetables, honey, hops, herbs and spices, yet no concentrates, cordials or essences.

o There must be no artificial carbonation for draught products.

o Sweetener may be added to fully fermented Cider/Perry to make it sweet or medium.

o The addition of water is permitted to bring the alcoholic content of the Cider/Perry down to the level required by the producer. Ideally, however the minimum juice content should not be lower than 90% volume.

o No micro filtration allowed (this takes all the yeast, leaving a "dead" product).

Honey Wood Orchard - HONEY WOOD ORCHARD

Honey Wood Orchard, Huntshaw Mill, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 7HB. Phone number 07990 888028 and e-mail is honeywoodorchard@gmail.com

On 24 January 2024 Josh Simmons took over the ownership of the Orchard at Huntshaw Mill, Near Torrington. Along with his family, Joel, Tracey, Jed, Tiegan and Jadon, the steep learning curve to run an Orchard began.

The family are established breeders of North Devon's Native dog The Parson Russell Terrier, the Tegtaran clan are enjoying running around the Orchard and greeting visitors.

Honey Wood was created by Chris Tattershall and his family, over 10 years he turned a 6.5 acre field into a thriving Orchard of 450 trees with 65 different varieties, built a barn fitting it out with an apple pressing machine, cidery and bar. The bar is the social hub, all our visitors enjoying the free cider and apple juice tasting sessions.

Chris continues to be part of the Orchard, generously sharing all his knowledge with Josh and family so his legacy can continue to thrive.

There are three ciders Golden Dawn Dry, Sunshine Medium and Haze sweet, all available in 500ml bottles, 5litre or 20litre boxes. The Apple juice comes in 750ml bottles and the newly introduced 250ml bottle. For the health conscious, we bottle Apple Cider Vinegar with mother. All products are natural, the Orchard trees are not sprayed and no sulphites are added.

The Orchard is open daily 11am to 4pm, closed Sundays, Josh and his family look forward to welcoming you to Honey Wood , free mini tours and free taste testing for all visitors.

Green man Cider - GREEN MAN CIDER

Green Man Cider, Unit 6, The Cider Shed, Venn Valley Winery, Barnstaple EX32 0NN. Phone number 07723 919048

Green Man Cider is Ben Totterdell and Simon Houghton.

Ben was born and grew up in North Curry, Somerset in the apple-scented epicenter of Somerset Ciderland (try saying that after a few); apples, orchards and cider have always been part of things.

Simon, although an Essex boy by birth has readily embraced West Country culture including a love of fine cider.

They are both passionate about our cider and keen to ensure that the beautiful traditional orchards of Devon and Somerset remain an important part of our landscape, and that cider and cider making remain an expression of West Country culture and heritage.

They think it’s important to celebrate and respect tradition while embracing the new. After all the most important part of an apple tree is its roots!

It’s an exciting time for cider, and awareness is growing of the range, quality and character of cider available. So whether its sharing a 75cl of bottle conditioned sparkliness – or a classic pint of still dry tannic gold – Wassail!

Sam's Cider - SAM's CIDER

Sam's Cider, Western Barn, Hatherleigh Rd, Winkleigh, Devon EX198AP. Phone number 01837 83560. Email info@winkleighcider.co.uk

Sam Inch started making cider in 1916 as a hobby. His reputation grew along with sales of his cider and in 1966 a young David Bridgman joined the team gaining a skill from Sam.

After the success and subsequent sale of Inch’s in 1988 things were a roller coaster for the company with a further transfer to Bulmers in 1996 but leading to the eventual closure only a few years later in 1998.

David who had been the cider maker through all the takeovers acted and created the Winkleigh Cider Company producing proper Devon cider and ultimately naming the business after his mentor “Sam’s Cider”. The business is a real family affair with David’s daughter Kylie a co-director alongside her husband Chris.

The Tallet Café on site is open 6 days a week – check out the website for up to date opening hours. No dogs allowed.

Tours are offered every Thursday from 11am and can be booked on the website.