The following is a list of defunct breweries in Devon which we believe to have been in existence at some point. Where possible, the closure year has been given, although this may have been lost in the fullness of time, as memories fade and accurate information may have been lost. If you have any corrections or omissions, please email ku.gro.armac.htuomylp@retsambew

A large number of CAMRA publications have been used in this compilation, including “Where Have All The Breweries Gone?” (1980), “Devon Real Ale Guide” (1990), “Moor To Sea – A Devon Real Ale Guide” (1993) and the “CAMRA Good Beer Guide” (various years). We would also like to express our gratitude to author Mr Alex Mettler for invaluable assistance for his research in to the breweries and public houses in the Parish of Tavistock, from his book Devon Country Town Brewers and Public Houses - Tavistock 1752 – 2020.

This page was last updated on 18 April 2024.

Lost Breweries of Devon

Ashburton

Thompson’s Brewery, West Street. Established in 1981 to supply the London Inn, its’ own pub. Trade quickly picked up, leading to brewing capacity increasing to 10 000-barrels a year by 1992. The brewery offices relocated to Exeter in 1993, and they purchased the Mitten & Mermaid pub, in Shrewsbury, and the Little Mutton Monster in Devonport, Plymouth. Sadly, the brewery had ceased trading by late 1997, about six months after a serious fire in the London Inn. It is unknown what happened to the brew plant.

Axminster

Axminster, Fordwater, Axminster. The former Hardington Brewery, of Somerset, was taken over and relocated to Axminster in 1988. The three Hardington beers continued to be brewed, along with a new beer, Axminster Bitter (OG 1036). Unfortunately, all brewing had ceased by the following year, with the equipment being sold on to another Hardington Brewery, totally unconnected with the previous Hardington brewery.

Barnstaple

Barnstaple Brewery Co, Taw Vale, founded in 1851 as Taw Vale Brewery by John Kay. Taken over by Arnold Perrett and Co Ltd, of Wickwar, Avon, and was sold to Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd, of Bridgewater in 1897, and closed in 1900. The premises may currently be used as a depot.

E Petter & Son, Anchor Brewery, Boutport Street. 10 Licensed houses. The brewery and 7 public houses were sold to William Hancock & Sons (Wiveliscombe) Ltd in 1918 for £2 000, the other three being acquired by Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd.

William Pugsley & Son, 35 Bear Street. Closed c1930.

Bere Alston

Bere, Homefield, Bere Alston PL20 7JA. This 1.3-barrel microbrewery was founded in the glorious countryside of the Tamar Valley in Bere Alston, near Tavistock, Devon, in late 2016. They brewed about a dozen bottle conditioned beers, including Hole’s Hole Porter, Lopwell Gold and Highcross Harvest, all brewed using their own, home-grown hops from their small holding. Sadly, they decided to concentrate on the smallholding and ceased brewing in early 2023.

Bideford

R. Barrow & Sons, East of the Water Brewery, Torrington Street. Closed c1910.

Buckland Brewers, Higher Thornhill Head, Buckland Brewer, Bideford EX39 5NU. This microbrewery was established in Buckland Brewer near Bideford in late-2017. They produced a small range of bottle conditioned Belgian-style beers including Hercule’s Belgian Witbier, Bock Bier and Ruby Tripel. Sadly, the brewery went quiet in late 2022 and nothing has been heard of them since September 2022.

Jollyboat, The Coach House, Buttgarden Street, EX39 2AU. Established in 1995, the brewery was named after a sailor's leave vessel, and all the beers had a nautical theme. All brewing has now ceased upon the retirement of owner/brewer, Hugh Parry, in November 2019.

Blackawton

Nigel Fitzhugh, Blackawton Brewery, brewery founded in 1977 in part of a converted smithy. The equipment was mainly from the Tamar Brewery, Devonport, which closed in 1975. It supplied 15 regular pubs, and several clubs. The brewery relocated to Washbourne in 1981, then to Cornwall in 2000, but returned “home” in 2011. Sadly, brewing ceased by 2012.

Bovey Tracey

Bates Brewery, 4, Western Units, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon. Founded in 1983, they supplied around 35 outlets around Exeter until mid-1986 when, sadly, owner Ron Bate died. Two beers were brewed - Bates' Bitter (OG 1045), a full-bodied bitter, and Blaster Bates (OG 1066), a dark winter beer.

Braunton

Braunton Brewery Ltd, Unit 9 Chivenor Business Park. Braunton was established in 2014 by three friends. Having moved to new premises, commercial brewing began in early 2015, using a 4-barrel plant. The brewery quickly established a growing local following. Four regular beers were produced, with one off specials occasionally available. All plant was unexpectedly sold to a brew pub chain in Cape Town, South Africa, in mid 2017.

Brixham

Astley & Harvey, Lakeman’s Brewery, Fore Street. Originally under the name of Thomas Lakeman. The brewery was purchased by a cider manufacturer in 1934 and was then sold to Simonds, of Reading, in November 1937 with 50 licensed houses. Brewing ceased c1950 and the brewery was demolished. The bus station now occupies the site.

Lakeman Brewery. Started in 1790, the brewery stayed within the Lakeman family until 1901. It was then sold, probably to the above-named Astley & Harvey in 1901.

Burrington

Burrington Brewery, Homelands Business Centre. Started brewing in spring 2003. A five-barrel brewplant built was formerly at Ales of Kent. Brewing ceased in 2007. Reports at the time indicated that it had relocated, but they could not be confirmed at the time.

Chittlehampton

Harry C Watts, Taken over by E Petter & Son, of Barnstaple, in 1905.

Christow

Black Tor, Units 5 and 6, Gidley's Industrial Estate, Christow, Devon, EX6 7QB. This independent, family-run brewery was located on the eastern edge of the beautiful Dartmoor National Park and was under the Crump family ownership from 2015. Established in 1998 and trading initially as Scatter Rock and then Gidley’s from 2009, with the Black Tor name being established in 2013. They brewed a core range of four live beers, with seasonal ales also appearing regularly. Sadly, all brewing ceased unexpectedly in January 2023 and the company went into voluntary liquidation in May 2023.

Gidley’s, 5, Gidley’s Meadow, Christow EX6 7QB. Gidley’s started brewing in 2009 after taking over and re-branding the former Scatter Rock brewery. Three beers were regularly brewed and around 50 outlets were regularly supplied. However, all brewing had ceased by 2012.

Scatter Rock, 5, Gidley’s Meadow, Christow EX6 7QB. The brewery was founded in July 1998 and situated within Dartmoor National Park. Six regular beers were brewed, plus a couple of seasonals, and were supplied to around 300 pubs. The brewery was sold and re-branded to Gidley’s in 2009.

Colyton

Axe Vale, Cownhayne Lane, Colyton. Brewing began in 1983, with three ales – Axe Vale Bitter (OG 1040), Battleaxe (OG 1053) and Conqueror (OG 1066) – for 25 outlets in East Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Sadly, all brewing had ceased by 1986.

Darkplace, 6A, Wheelers Yard, Colyton Business Park, Colyton EX24 6DT. Microbrewery established in Colyton in 2017 using a four-barrel plant. The brewer was frequently trialling new recipes. The majority of production was bottle-conditioned, but cask ales were produced for some local pubs and for festivals. All beers were unfiltered, unfined and unpasteurised. Sadly, the brewer/director suffered a debilitating illness, and all brewing had ceased by July 2019.

Combe Martin

Combe Martin, 4 Springfield Terrace, High Street, Combe Martin, Devon EX34 0EE. Combe Martin started by making country wine but moved on to brew bottled beer and cider on an occasional basis in 2005. It operated from the kitchen and backyard of the owner's house, on a one-barrel plant. Five outlets were supplied direct, but brewing had ceased by 2014.

Crediton

Creedy Valley. This short-lived venture was established in 1984 by two former Whitbread employees who built their own 12-barrel plant. They brewed three beers – Creedy Bitter (OG 1036), Tun Bitter (OG 1041) and Taverners Ale (OG 1045). Sadly, the brewery closed in 1985.

Cullompton

Big Rabbit, Unit 1, Butterleigh Sawmill, Butterleigh. A brewery established in Cullompton in June 2014, and part of the Olde Mill Limited, of London Cider Co fame. The brewery has relocated from Cullompton, Devon, to Glasgow in mid-2017.

Masters, Greenham Business Park, 8, Greenham Park, Wellington TA21 0LR (nearer to Cullompton). The brewery was established in 2006, but unfortunately closed in 2009. It reopened again in 2011 in the Woodyard Brewpub, which is situated 5 miles west of Wellington on the Devon/Somerset border. Five ales were produced using a 2.5-barrel plant. Brewing was suspended in 2015 – it is believed that the plant was for sale, either whole or in part. No further news is known.

Dartmouth

Bartlett & Co, Warfleet Brewery. Brewing commenced in the middle of the nineteenth century. Following a royal visit by Queen Victoria, she noted the similarity between the Dart Valley to the Rhine Valley. The brewery capitalised on this with a trademark slogan “The barley wine of the English Rhine”. However, it was taken over by the Heavitree Brewery Ltd, of Exeter, in 1926. The premises were being used by Dartmouth Pottery in the 1990’s.

Dawlish

Richard Brock Ferris, Dartmouth Brewery, High Street. Founded in 1827, but was taken over by Heavitree Brewery Ltd, of Exeter, with about 30 licensed houses, and a mineral water plant.

Dawlish Brewery, High Street. Founded in 1817 and by the end of the century owner over 20 pubs. Taken over by Heavitree Brewery Ltd, of Exeter, in 1926.

Dunkeswell

Blackdown, Unit C5/C6, Dunkeswell Business Park, Dunkeswell, Honiton EX14 0RA. This purpose-built brewery was completed by FW Fabrications in 2002, adjacent to its equipment production site. Juwards moved from Wellington, along with their founder/brewer to join with Blackdown and brew the Juwards and Blackdown range of beers. Around sixty outlets were supplied.

Exeter

Aylwin & Snowden, Well Park Brewery, Alphington Road. Originally formed under the name of Ross & Pidsley until 1911, and then Ross & Son until 1913, when the business was acquired by Aylwin & Snowden. Taken over by Devonish & Co in 1925, with 22 licensed houses. The brewery was used as a depot until 1958.

Carr & Quick Ltd, West of England Brewery, 15 Queen Street. Founded in 1853, but the brewery and 7 licensed houses were bought by Carr & Quick in 1909. Brewing ceased after 1926 but the business was carried on under the name Ash, Carr & Quick Ltd, beer, wine and spirits merchants. It became a subsidiary of Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton Ltd.

Crowson & Son, Windsor Brewery, Heavitree. Taken over by Heavitree Brewery Ltd in 1899 for £50 000.

Fat Pig, 2, John Street, Exeter, Devon EX1 1BL. Brewing commenced in 2013 using a 2.5-barrel plant to supply the Fat Pig pub, Exeter. It was run as an experimental brewery, constantly playing with combinations of malts, hops and temperatures to improve the range of beers, and to push the boundaries. In 2018, the brewery briefly relocated to below St Thomas station in Exeter, alongside the distillery making gin and Exeter's first whisky. In 2019 it returned to the basement of the Fat Pig pub. Sadly, the pandemic of 2020 closed all hospitality venues, and the brewery did not recoup their losses. Brewing ceased, and plant sold, in late 2021. The pub remains open as a free house. They brewed a Core Range of six beers with regular special one-off special brews.

Fizgig & Firkin, St Annie’s Well, Lower North Street. The Firkin concept of pubs was founded by David Bruce in London in 1979. The small chain was sold in 1988, and then again in 1991 to Allied Domecq (Allied Breweries). Not all pubs brewed beer, but this one did between 1997 and 1999, and supplied all the Firkin pubs in Devon.

Heavitree Brewery Ltd, 16 Church Street, Heavitree. Founded in 1790 and started off as Wilcocks & Rewe. By 1857, it was known as HeavitreeBrewery was registered in England in 1890 to acquire the business of E N Birkett. They owned about 130 licensed houses at that time. Brewing ceased in 1970, due to increased demand for national brews, and the brewery was demolished in 1972. The company is still trading today as the Heavitree Brewery PLC and run a number of pubs and bars, mainly in Devon.

W Mortimer, St Thomas Brewery, Okehampton Street. The brewery and 7 licensed houses were sold to WH Morton, of Exeter, for £10 000 in 1919.

Norman & Pring Ltd, City Brewery, 1 Commercial Road. Founded in 1700 and taken over by Whitbread & Co Ltd with 102 licensed houses in April 1962. Beers included Nap Pale Ale, Imperial Strong Stout and Double Brown Ale. The business merged with Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd in 1964. Brewing had ceased at the City Brewery by 1956, when production was concentrated at St Anne’s Well Brewery, but bottling continued until 1968 when the brewery unfortunately burnt down.

St Anne’s Well Brewery Co Ltd, Low North Street. It was founded in c1819. Brewing started in the splendid Victorian Brewery in the 1870s built on the site of the Barnstaple Inn. A partial amalgamation took place with Norman & Pring Ltd in 1944, both companies running separately until they were completely merged in 1956. They had 78 licensed houses. St Anne’s Well Brewery as a name and a separate brand came to an end in 1960, but brewing continued on site until it was closed by Whitbread in 1967.

Two Drifters, Unit 5, Skyways Business Park, Fair Oak Close Exeter Airport, Clyst Honiton, Exeter EX5 2UL. Husband and wife team Gemma and Russ Wakeham produced their first beers from their Swansea premises, but relocating to Exeter in May 2018 and set up a 10-barrel brewery. They operated first as a brewery and then as a brewery and distillery for about six months. All brewing ceased in late 2019 to concentrate on distilling rum. All equipment was then converted to concentrate on distilling rum, which they continue to do very successfully today (updated April 2024).

Warrior Brewing Co, Matfield House, Old Matford Lane, Matford. Started brewing November 2004, before relocating in early 2009 where it shared a building, but not plant, with Coastal. Sadly, brewing ceased in May 2010, the plant was sold, and the brewer relocated to the West Midlands.

Holbeton

Dartmoor Union, Fore Street. Brew-pub located in the leafy South Hams, established in 2005. The pub and brewery changed hands in 2010, with the brewery being sold again in 2012, as the Union Brewery. Sadly, due to various issues, the brewery did not establish itself and ceased trading in Autumn 2012.

Mildmay, brew pub in the wonderful South Hams, brewing began in 1993 to supply the Mildmay Colours pub only. Expansion in 1994 meant that capacity was increased up to 50 barrels per week. Beers included Colour’s Best (3.8%), Starting Price Ale (4.5% and 50/1 Porter. Was this the forerunner of the Dartmoor Union ?

Holsworthy

Two Tone, Torr View, Hayes Cross, Shebbear, EX21 5SW. Home based nanobrewery established in 2017 by Gary Seaton, an ex Coventrian, hence the Two Tone record label connection, and Paul Scantlebury, originally from Bristol. Three regular bottle conditioned beers were produced in very small batches, all of which were suitable for vegans.

Honiton

JG Hann & Co, Mill Street. Brewing ceased c1921.

Horsebridge

Royal Inn. Long-established 15th century pub located on the Devon/Cornwall border. Brewing began in summer 1982 but stopped temporarily after a change of ownership until restarting in 1984. Three different beers were initially brewed, Tamar Ale (OG 1039), Horsebridge Best (OG 1045) and Heller (OG 1060). After another change of ownership, brewing ceased and then restarted again a short time later. As well as the three beers mentioned, another one named Right Royal (OG 1050) made irregular appearances. Brewing ceased after another change of ownership 1999. The kit was sold to Driftwood Spars. The pub itself is still trading successfully today (April 2024).

Ilfracombe

Combe, Mullacott Industrial Estate, Ilfracombe EX34 8PL. This was a one-person part-time brewery founded in 1994, brewing four beers for local outlets in and around Ilfracombe, including Heatwave (3.7%), Shipwrecker’s Ale (4.4% and Wallop (5.0%). Unfortunately, all brewing had ceased by 1996. Not to be confused with the brewery of the same name today.

Madrigal, Unit 2, Hele Business Park, Witheridge Place, Hele Bay, Ilfracombe EX34 9RA. Originally established in Combe Martin in 2014, the brewery relocated to larger premises in Lynmouth, and relocated again to a new site in Hele Bay, Ilfracombe. About a dozen vegan-friendly, unfined and unfiltered beers were brewed in cask and bottle, including Garland, Hanged Man and Monkey’s Fist. Sadly, all activity had ceased for unknown reasons by September 2022.

Wizard, Unit 4 Lundy View, Mullacott Cross Industrial Estate. Brewing started in 2003 using a 1 ½ barrel plant, previously used by Swaled Ale Brewery, of Gunnerside, North Yorkshire. The plant was upgraded to five-barrels to keep up with demand for their excellent beers. The brewery regularly changed hands before finally calling time in 2019 and being sold.

Ipplepen

Hunters Brewery Ltd, Bulleigh Barton Farm, Ipplepen, Devon, TQ12 5UA. Hunters began brewing in 2008. The award-winning brewery had a 60-barrel brew length and 4,000-gallon fermenting capacity. A bottling, labelling and packing plant meant they could turn out 3,000 bottle-conditioned beers per hour; this, coupled with a dedicated conditioning room, enabled Hunters to bottle for others as well as itself. A large range of cask ales were brewed, most of which were also available in bottle conditioned format, with a range of specially commissioned bottled ales also available. Sadly, they entered voluntary liquidation in March 2023.

Kingsbridge

Blewitt’s Brewery, the Ship and Plough Inn, The Quay. Established in the Ship and Plough Inn in 1991 to supply three beers for the pub only. Owner, Steve Blewitt, relocated to the Sorley Tunnel Adventure Farm in 1999, where visitors could watch beer being brewed. Sadly, the brewery ceased production in 2004.

John Kelland, London Brewery, Church Street. This brewery was set up in the mid-1850s with William Kelland taking control in 1872. His brother, John, took over several years later and moved from Ebrington Street to Church Street. Offered for auction, with 11 licensed houses, on 22nd July 1904, and was purchased by Bedford Brewery, of Plymouth.

South Devon Brewery Ltd, South Devon Steam Brewery, Union Road. It was originally known as WH Prowse & Sons until 1946. Brewing ceased on 1st October 1948, with all beer being supplied by Tamar Brewery, Devonport. They remained an independent brewery until 1951, when Simonds, of Reading, took them over with a total of 25 licensed houses owned by them and their associate company CW Blundell (Plymouth) Ltd.

Kingskerswell

William Henry Mortimer. This small family business was set up in the late nineteenth century and was close to Tucker’s Maltings for their supplies of malt. The brewery ceased trading in 1927.

Liddaton

Bale Ale, Janie Craig Cottage, Liddaton, Brentor, Tavistock, EX20 4AD. Nano brewery established just off Dartmoor National Park in Brentor, in late 2016. All beers were bottle conditioned, unfined, hazy when poured, but were suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Sadly, the brewery ceased trading the following year.

Littleham

E Philbrick, Apps Brewery, Taken over by Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd, of Bridgewater, in 1901.

Lundy Island

Marisco Tavern, Lundy Island, Bristol Channel. This small brew pub started brewing beer for themselves from 1984 until 1986. Two beers were brewed using malt extract.

Mary Tavy

Moorstone Brewery, Axna Farm, Horndon, Mary Tavy, near Tavistock PL19 9NF. The micro-brewery was established in a barn conversion on Axna Farm, near Mary Tavy, Tavistock, by Paul and Joanna Barton in early 2016. They produced two cask conditioned real ales from a 2.5-barrel kit, using the farms spring water. Sadly, all brewing ceased at Easter 2018.

Newton Abbot

MacBride’s Brewery, 63 East Street. The brewery was established in the Dartmouth Inn, a pub with a good reputation for real ale in 2003, but ceased brewing in Autumn 2004. It reopened as Dartmouth Brewery in 2007, but brewing had ceased again by 2010.

Mill Brewery, Bradley Lane. Founded in 1983 in an old watermill, brewing on a part-time basis and supplied local free trade pubs with beer under the name “Janner”, a local name for a Devonian, and included Janners Ale (OG 1037), Janners Old Dark (OG 1040) and Janners Old Original (OG 1045). It changed hands in 1994, with the new owners going full time. Sadly, the brewery had ceased production by 1997.

Mills Brothers, Old Brewery, 16 Wolborough Street. Offered for sale in August 1921 due to the advancing age of the proprietor, and was bought by the St Anne’s Well Brewery Co Ltd, of Exeter, in 1924 with 6 licensed houses.

Pinsent & Sons, Highweek Street. Set up in the mid-nineteenth century, they had a tied estate of 38 pubs. The original founder, William Swain Pinsent, retired after the end of the First World War. It was taken over by the Heavitree Brewery Ltd, of Exeter, in 1919 with 44 tied houses. The new owners used the site as a bottling depot and branch offices.

Totem, 11, Cleaveland Rise, Ogwell, Newton Abbot TQ12 6FF. Keg Only. Established in December 2014, brewing one beer, a well-received craft keg ale called Tropical Storm. Tropical Storm was almost exclusively available at Teign Cellars, Newton Abbot, where demand was greater than production. Brewing was suspended in January 2017, due to pressures of other work, with high hopes of re-commencing brewing after a short period of inactivity. Sadly, the brewery has now closed, January 2020.

Paignton

Torbay Brewery & Cyder Co Ltd, 44 Victoria Street. Registered in May 1890, but was then taken over by Arnold, Perrett & Co Ltd, of Wickwar, Avon, in June 1893. It was sold to Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd, of Bridgewater, in 1896.

Parracombe

Crocombe & Son. Originally maltsters, this family run brewery commenced brewing in the 1870s and this became the main business. They had a tied estate of sixteen pubs. Brewing continued until 1940 when the head of the company sadly died.

Petrockstow

Moonchild, 18 The Village EX20 3HL. Moonchild was established in 2016 by Fred and Sophie Caure. All beers were unfined, unfiltered and unpasteurised and were only available in bottle-conditioned format. Sadly, the company was dissolved on 09 April 2020.

Plymouth

Anchor House, Greater Plymouth. A small family-run cuckoo brewery established in summer 2019 to brew small batch and experimental beers, using spare capacity at other local breweries. All ingredients were locally sourced where possible and a number of local charities were also supported. Sadly, all brewing activity had ceased by early-mid 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ash & Son, Wine Merchants, of Devonport. It is believed that they owned a small number of Plymouth pubs (about 15), but did not brew beer themselves. They may be connected to Carr & Quick Ltd, of Exeter.

Billy Ruffian’s, Plymouth College of Further Education, Kings Road, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 5QG. The five-barrel plant was originally installed by Mike Askey, of Bitter End Brewery, in August 2000 as Point’s West Brewery. Sadly, it lay dormant upon the death of the brewer and lecturer, and former CAMRA South West Regional Director, Roger Pengelly, in summer 2004. Brewing recommenced in 2011 by the Community Millfields Trust. Brewing continued until the lease expired in mid-2015. In 2018, brewing recommenced here again as a community-owned brewery company, but they were unable to maintain commercial brewing status. The plant is still owned by Plymouth College of Further Education, but remains dormant.

G Crake, Tamar Brewery, 12 Tamar Street, Devonport. Brewing began in 1820. It was taken over by Simonds Ltd, of Reading, in 1919 with about 28 licensed houses. Brewing ceased in 1975, with some of the plant being sold to Blackawton Brewery, of Blackawton.

Devonport & Tiverton Brewery Co Ltd, New Passage Brewery, John Street, Devonport and the Old Brewery, Tiverton. Registered in December 1876, and went into voluntary liquidation in May 1923.

Eagle Brewing Co, Queen Street, Devonport. The brewery and 11 licensed house were sold for £29 850 on 19th July 1921.

King’s Head, 21 Bretonside, PL4 0BB. Plymouth’s first brew pub, brewing began in January 1994 to supply this pub, plus two other tied houses. A further 25 other pubs were also regularly supplied. Eight cask conditioned ales were available, including King’s Ransom (4.0%), Bretonside Best (4.2%) and Old Hoppy (5.6%), until all brewing had stopped by 1996.

New Bedford Brewery (Plymouth) Ltd, Alexandra Road, Mutley. Registered in 1900 as the Bedford Brewery (Plymouth) Ltd and was re-registered as above in 1919 when they were acquired by Samuel Allsopp Ltd, of Burton-Upon-Trent. The business was then transferred to the New Victoria Brewery Co, which continued until the 1950s.

New Victoria Brewery Co Ltd, Hyde Park Road, Mutley. Registered in October 1898 to acquire the Victoria Brewery Co Ltd. Taken over by Samuel Allsopp Ltd, of Burton-Upon-Trent, prior to 1920, and ceased brewing in 1953.

Octagon Brewery Ltd, 5-7 Martin Street, Stonehouse. Founded in 1861 by Joseph Godfrey. 48 licensed houses were owned. One of their most popular beers was OB Stout, which the bottle label described as “nourishing and digestive”. They were taken over by Simonds Ltd, of Reading, in 1954, although brewing on this site continued until it ceased in 1970.

Plymouth Breweries Ltd, Regent Brewery, Stonehouse. Registered in October 1889 and acquired and amalgamated with: Samuel Vosper, Regent Brewery; Amanda Henrietta Butcher, Anchor Brewery, Chapel Street, Stonehouse; G Ryall, Frankfort Street Brewery; and the South Devon Brewery, all in Plymouth; and the Saltash Brewery, Saltash. Taken over by Courage Ltd, of London, in December 1970 for £6 500 000. The name was changed to Courage Plymouth Brewery Ltd on 21st November 1971. The brewery was closed in 1984.

Point’s West Brewery. Established in City College, Plymouth, Catering School, in 2000 by Roger Pengelly, an ex-CAMRA South West Regional Director. The aim was to give students who needed it experience of the licensing trade. They used a five-barrel plant to brew beers such as Pilgrim Ale (4.2% and Drake’s Drum (4.8%). Sadly, as brewing had ceased in 2004 after Roger passed away.

Plymouth Brewery, re-commissioned the Point’s West plant in 2011, under the stewardship of The Millfield's Trust, a not-for-profit charitable organisation. Two beers were brewed, with profits going to support local youth organisations in Stonehouse. Brewing ceased in 2015.

Popplestone & Co, were located on the corner of Higher Compton Road and Widey View, and were known locally as "Pops". Six tied houses in Plymouth were owned. No further information is known.

Steel Brew Co, Melville Building, Royal William Yard, Stonehouse, Plymouth, PL1 3RP. This brewery started life in a garage during 2018, to brew a range of craft beers. They moved into Grade-I* listed Melville Building, Royal William Yard, in early 2020. They brewed four core beers - Mantra, Plymouth, Bombshell and Breakwater - and lots of one-off beers and IPAs, which were rotated in the onsite Steel Brew Co Taproom. One cask ale - an American wheat beer - and three "craft" beers were available at the first Mayflower 400 event, in November 2019. Other beers followed and they relocated to larger premises within Royal William Yard in 2021. Sadly, the company ceased trading on Thursday 25 August 2022. A totally unrelated company, Steel Brew Co (South West) Ltd, is now trading in the Mills Bakery Building in Royal William Yard.

Sutton Brewery, Commercial Road, Coxside, Plymouth. Established in an old engineering works next to the Thistle Park Tavern pub in 1993, using a five-barrel plant. Due to their success, this increased to a ten-barrel plant soon after. They relocated to the South Hams near to Kingsbridge, due to the limited capacity onsite in Coxside, in 2003, changed their name and are still trading today as South Hams Drinks.

Plympton

Garage Brewery, 8 Church Road. Small, self-built microbrewery established in 2011 in an outbuilding of the London Inn pub. Four regular beers were produced on a part-time basis at weekends, for sale in the pub and a small number of local free houses. Brewing ceased in 2014, when full-time work commitments necessitated closure.

Furguson’s Plympton Brewery, Valley Road. Set up in the Hall’s Plympton depot in 1984 to supply 3 ales to Hall’s estate of 32 pubs in the area, plus 120 free trade accounts. Operated like an autonomous independent company under the vast umbrella of Allied Breweries, and its subsidiary company names, over the years. Three regular beers were brewed (Dartmoor Best (3.7%), Dartmoor Strong (4.5%) and Cockleroaster (6.5%)). Rationalisation by parent-company, Carlsberg-Tetley, meant that the Furguson-branded beers were contract brewed by St Austell, and the brewery was closed in 1996.

Shaldon

Ringmore Brewery, Higher Ringmore Road. Ringmore was established in 2007 on a one-barrel plant and was the first brewery in Shaldon since 1920. It expanded to a 2.5-barrel plant in 2009 to keep up with demand. The brewer retired in 2013 and sold the plant to a local restauranteur who opened a new brewery in Shaldon, Two Beach Brewing.

Two Beach Brewery, Ness Cove. Restauranteur Andy Cope bought the Ringmore brewing plant in 2013, and brewed four regular core ales, and regular seasonal specials. However, the plant was again sold in 2017 to a local fabrications company for renovations, before being sold on. No further details are held.

Sidmouth

Vallance’s Brewery Ltd, Temple Street. It was founded in 1832 by Richard Searle, and then renamed when brothers John and George Vallance took it over towards the end of the nineteenth century. It was then taken over by Woodhead’s Brewery Ltd, of London, in 1946, with 35 licensed houses. Brewing on this site ended in 1957 and then subsequently became a depot for Devenish & Co Ltd, of Weymouth, before final closure in 1979.

Silverton

Exe Valley Land Farm, Silverton, Exeter EX5 4HF. Exe Valley was established as Barron's Brewery in 1984. The brewery was located in a converted barn overlooking the Exe Valley and Dartmoor hills. Locally sourced malt and English hops were used, along with the brewery's own spring water. A core range of eight ales and a number of seasonal beers were brewed in both cask conditioned formats, most of which were also available in bottle conditioned format as well. 2020 brought new owners, who were looking to expand availability of the brands. However, the brewery did not recover from the covid pandemic, and they finally closed in May 2022.

Occasional, Roosters of Babylon, Babylon Lane EX5 4DT. The Occasional Brewing Company was established in 2014. They currently concentrate on producing only bottle-conditioned beers, although the occasional cask does get into the trade. They market and sell their products via a number of local retailers, at farmer's markets and other events. All brewing had ceased by 2016.

South Brent

Union, Unit 7, Brent Mill Industrial Estate, Long Meadow TQ10 9YT. The four-barrel plant was purchased from the Dartmoor Union pub, Holbeton, in 2012 after the pub fell on hard times. Unfortunately, due to a number of reasons, the brewery did not establish itself and closed, also in 2012.

Swimbridge

Swimbridge Brewery Ltd, Old Tannery, Swimbridge, South Molton EX32 0PL. Small brewery that brewed one real ale, Swimbridge Bitter (OG 1038), listed in the 1982 CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Brewing started in August 1983 on their brand new ten-barrel plant. Sadly, they went into liquidation a couple of years later due to “competition from the big brewers who could afford to give discounts.”

Tavistock

Brook Street Brewery, 20, Brook Street, essentially the site of the current Tavistock Inn. The Bedford Brewery was established in 1853 by John Richards Senior and named in competition to the already established Tavistock Brewery of 12 Higher Market Street. His son, John Junior, ran the company upon the death of his father in 1859, with the company trading as A M Richards Bedford Brewery until at least 1877, then as A M Richards and Company of the Bedford Brewery, with three tied public houses, until 1893. It was then sold to Messrs Flower, Turnbull and O’Conner, of Stratford-upon-Avon. The name of the new company was to become the Tavistock Brewing Co. Their estate rose to 25 tied public houses by the time of the next sale in May 1899 to Edward Bullen Gilbert. The brewery was sold again in 1904 to Edward Frederick Hilton for £2600, and known as Hilton and Son, with six properties. A fire at the brewery in August 1912 may have led to the sale by auction in 1913, along with freehold licensed premises the adjoining Tavistock Hotel and Harvest Home, Gulworthy. Leasehold interests were held for the White Hart, Chilsworthy; New Inn, Horndon; Peter Tavy Inn, Peter Tavy; Royal Standard, Mary Tavy and Forest Inn, Hexworthy. However, the sale was withdrawn at £3150, but this was accepted in 1917 at that price. Kenneth Johnstone, a local solicitor, was the new owner. Kenneth Johnstone owned the company until its sale in October 1926, for £4500, to the Reading-based company, H & G Simonds, who had become very active in the west country. They had offices in Union Street, Plymouth, and had purchased the Tamar Brewery and its 28 tied outlets of Devonport, in 1919. This purchase added to the 316 tied houses already owned. They were to become, in turn, part of the Courage Brewing Company. Johnstone, however, retained the tenancy for the Tavistock Hotel for the next 22 years. Simonds closed the brewery without ceremony in 1926.

Market Street Brewery, (Tavistock Brewery), 12, Higher Market Street, but listed by Historic England under its statutory address of 7, Drake Road. I’ll refer to this entry as the Tavistock Brewery. Originally built as a malthouse in 1683, other properties were acquired until brewing commenced in 1798. John Gill and William Rundle founded the Bedford Brewery in 1798. The brewery was put up for sale in 1817, and were brewing 1500/barrels a year, plus eight unnamed pubs (however, it is known that they rented five pubs in 1814 – Bull and Dog, Ordnance Arms, Queen’s Head, Red Cow and White Hart, plus three others not in Tavistock. It is believed that the brewery was known as Rundle and Sleman from 1811-1833. The brewery passed to John White in 1839 and trade appears to have gone downhill from there until closure in 1877.

Teignmouth

Brown & Bishop, Teign Brewery, 21 Teign Street. Brewing had ceased by c1931.

John Leggett, Half Moon Hotel, Holland’s Row. This brew pub was based in the pub during the nineteenth century. John became landlord and brewer in 1878 until the brewery closed in 1910.

Sprey Point, Unit 10 Helmores Yard, Exeter Street TQ14 8JW. Established in 2017, this microbrewery specialised in small batch beers using a wide variety of ingredients, sourced locally and organic where possible. Output was mostly keg, but some cask conditioned beer was available. Sadly, all brewing ceased in 2019.

Tiverton

Thomas Ford & Son. Founded in 1852, but taken over by Starkey, Knight & Co Ltd in 1895, and then Whitbread & Co, of London, in 1962. Whitbread apparently had plans to build a mega-brewery, serving the South West, in an industrial estate in Exeter. However, they built a bottling and canning plant a mile away from the original brewery in Tiverton instead.

Topsham

Topsham Brewery. A cooperative brewery run by volunteers in an outbuilding of the Globe Hotel from 2010. The lease was not renewed, and the plant was sold to a Scottish pub/hotel/restaurant on the banks of Loch Ness in January 2018.

Torquay

Greenslade Brothers, St Mary Church Brewery, Fore Street. Set up in the mid-1850s at the back of the Palk Arms as the Palk Arms Brewery. They changed names to Greenslade Brothers in 1880 after the brewery was purchased by John Greenslade. One of their popular beers was called Eclipse Stout, named after a sales slogan of the time. Taken over by Plymouth Breweries Ltd, of Plymouth, in 1925 and brewing ceased in 1927.

Platform 5, 2, Magdalene Mews, Torquay TQ1 4AF. This family-run brewery was established in Newton Abbot in 2013 using a six-barrel plant. A range of about eight ales were brewed in cask, including The Antelope (ABV 4.3% session pale ale), The Whistleblower (ABV 4.6% premium bitter) and Western Gold (ABV 4.8% premium pale ale). Their home, in the basement of the Railway Inn, was sold in late 2021 and the brewery relocated to Torquay. Sadly, they did not appear to have been successful following this relocation. It was reported on social media that all plant was sold to a company in the North of England in March 2023.

Swayne & Co Ltd, Ellacombe Brewery, Lower Ellacmbe. Brewing commenced in the late nineteenth century by the Swayne Brothers, who brewed at Fleet Street. They moved to Ellacombe Brewery in Lower Ellacombe in early 1900. They were taken over by Plymouth Breweries Ltd, of Plymouth, in 1925, who also purchased Greenslade Brothers at the same time.

Torquay Brewing & Trading Co Ltd, 34 Fleet Street. Registered in 1865 to acquire the business of Matchem & Hussey. Taken over by Plymouth Breweries Ltd, of Plymouth, in 1897.

Torrington

St Giles in the Wood, Unit 2 Hatchmoor Industrial Estate, Great Torrington. The brewery was founded in 1998 by publican, Steve Lock, to supply beer to his three pubs, using the original Sutton Brewery equipment (who are now trading as South Hams Brewery using their own new equipment). Steve then sold the brewery to Brian Broughton, who renamed it Clearwater in January 1999. The brewery was sold in 2009 to businessman, Barry Raynes, and the brewery moved to new larger premises in Bideford in 2013. Clearwater are still trading today (April 2024).

Totnes

Walter & Phillips, Lion Brewery, South Street. Started brewing as Condy & Co at the Lion Brewery in the nineteenth century before becoming Walter & Phillips. They bought the neighbouring William Sawyers in 1899 and had a tied pub estate of 16 pubs. The brewery and 16 tied houses were offered for auction 31st October 1921.

Turnchapel

Langmead and Company, Brewery, 13, Boringdon Terrace, Turnchapel, PL9 9TQ, when, in 1797, they paid £21 7s 6d for a four year lease in the old quarry master's house which was already an ale house at this time. A 4HP beam and crank engine was installed to help with the brewing process. No further details are known at this time. The pub is still trading today as the Boringdon Arms.

Uffculme

Furze & Co Ltd. Registered in 1903 and taken over by Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd in 1918, with 26 tied houses, and was closed.

Woodbury Salterton

EMAL, 10 Hogbrook Units, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter EX5 1PY This family-run business was established in 2015 as a cuckoo brewery, sharing the same premises as Powderkeg, who brewed the beers for them. Three beers were brewed, available in both bottle and cask. All beer names were influenced by the historic Roman city of Exeter. Sadly, EMAL had ceased trading in 2019. Powderkeg are still brewing today (April 2024).

New Devon, Froginwell Vineyard and Cider Barn, Woodbury Salterton, Exeter, EX5 1EP. The brewery started brewing in 2018. It was a collective of brewers and cider makers who had been inspired by the craft beer movement. They produced one real ale, New Devon Ale (4.5% premium pale ale), but others also made an appearance during the year, Drizzle (5.2%) and Fistful of Pale (5.0%). Sadly, the company was dissolved in January 2024.

Woodbury Ales, Sandy Bottoms Brewery, Rydon Lane, EX5 1JZ. The brewery started brewing in early 2016 in Woodbury Salterton by Paul Thomas and Chris Marriott. Four ales were brewed, but the brewery did not become established, and was closed by early 2017.

Yelland

Baskerville Brewing Co Ltd, Lower Yelland Farm. Baskerville were formed after the demise of Tarka Ales, brewing commenced in early 2006, but ceased in December 2010. At the time, it was believed that the equipment was still in place at the same location, and that another company called Devon Brewing Company may have been operating from the same Yelland location.

Devon Brewing Co, Lower Yelland Farm. Apparently rising after the closure of Baskerville, they did not establish themselves, and the plant was sold.

Tarka Ales, Lower Yelland Farm. Test brews were seen from this brewery at The Quay, Instow, from early 2003. Brewing started properly in the first week of June 2003 using the five-barrel plant previously at Clearwater. The brewery was taken over during early 2006, as Baskerville Brewing Co Ltd.

Other Selected Brewing Companies, out of Devon

Starkey, Knight & Ford Ltd, 54 High Street, Bridgewater, Somerset, and at Tiverton. Registered in November 1887 as Starkey, Knight & Co Ltd, and changed to the above in April 1895 when Thomas Ford & Son, of Tiverton, were acquired. Pubs in the Plymouth area were adorned with "Tivvy Beers" and a black horse on the outside of the pub. Taken over by Whitbread & Co Ltd in December 1962, with 400 tied houses. The business was merged with Norman & Pring Ltd, of Exeter, in 1964.

Samuel Allsopp & Sons Ltd, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffs. Allsopp’s was founded in 1709, registered in February 1887, and merged with Ind Coope Ltd in 1934 to form Ind Coope & Allsopp’s Ltd. Formed Allied Breweries in 1961 after merger with Ansell’s Brewery Ltd and Tetley Walker.

Ind Coope Ltd, High Street, Burton-Upon-Trent, and Star Brewery, Romford, Essex. The company was founded at Romford in 1708, with the Burton brewery being established in 1856. It was registered in November 1886, and merged with Allsopps in 1934, and then Ansell’s and Tetley Walker in 1961 to form Allied Breweries.

Allied Breweries, 107 Station Street, Burton-Upon-Trent. Established in 1961 after the merger of Ind Coope & Allsopp’s, Ansells and Tetley Walker, and operated a small number of pubs in the Plymouth area under the name of Halls, who owned the Plympton Brewery, Furguson’s, in Valley Road, Plympton.

H & G Simonds Ltd, founded in 1774 at Broad Street, Reading, moved to Bridge Street in 1790. Taken over by Courage, Barclay & Co Ltd, of London, in 1960. Brewing ceased in 1979.

Courage & Co Ltd, Anchor Brewery, Horselydown, Bermondsey, SE1. The brewery was acquired by John Courage in 1787. They merged with Barclay, Perkins & Co Ltd in 1955 to form Courage, Barclay & Co Ltd. Taken over by Imperial Tobacco Co in August 1972.

Courage Ltd, Bristol Brewery, Bath Street, Bristol. The former George’s Brewery was the only Courage brewery in the south of England brewing cask ales by 1992, following the closure of breweries in London, Reading and Plymouth, and the sale of Ushers, of Trowbridge, with a management buyout.

Usher’s Wiltshire Brewery Ltd, Parade House, Trowbridge. Founded in 1824, registered in April 1889. Also brewed at the Sovereign Brewery, Bayswater, London, from 1890 until after 1919, when the relocated to Church Road, Paddington. This brewery was damaged by bombing, and the site sold in 1946. Merged with Watney Mann Ltd in May 1960, and re-named Usher’s Brewery Ltd in 1964.

Whitbread & Co Ltd, Chiswell Street, London EC1. Founded in 1742 and registered in July 1889. A new brewery was built in Luton in 1969, but brewing ceased here in 1975. Most real ales were brewed at the Cheltenham brewery (West Country Breweries below.

Flowers & Sons Ltd, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warwickshire. It was founded in 1831 and registered in February 1888. It was taken over by JW Green, of Luton, in 1954, who changed the name to Flowers & Sons Ltd. It was closed in 1968, when Whitbread merged Flowers with West Country Breweries, to form Whitbread Flowers Ltd.

West Country Breweries, 256 High Street, Cheltenham. Initially incorporated on 15th April 1888 as the Cheltenham Original Brewing Co Ltd, to acquire the business of JT Agg-Gardner, which was founded in 1760. The name was changed to the Cheltenham & Hereford Brewery Ltd in 1945, when the Hereford & Tredegar Brewery Ltd was taken over. The name was later changed to Cheltenham Brewery Holdings Ltd. They then merged again, with Stroud Brewery Co Ltd in 1958, to form West Country Breweries, with 1275 licensed houses. Finally, in 1963, they were taken over by Whitbread & Co Ltd, forming Whitbread Flowers Ltd.

JA Devenish & Co Ltd, 15 Trinity Street, Weymouth, and Redruth, Cornwall. Founded in 1742, and had 390 tied houses, with the Redruth plant trading under the name Cornish Brewery Company.Brewing took place at both sites until 1985, when the Weymouth site closed. Brewing continued in Redruth until 2004.

Watney, 91 Brick Lane, London. This was the brewing arm of the food, drinks and retailing group, Grand Metropolitan PLC. Most of their estate traded under the name Usher’s, until the Usher’s management buyout of 1992 brought Usher’s out of this large conglomerate.

William Hancock & Sons (Wiveliscombe) Ltd, Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Registered in 1896, and merged with Arnold & Sons Ltd, of Taunton, in 1927, forming Arnold & Hancock Ltd. Taken over by Usher’s Wiltshire Brewery in 1955. It may be in farm use today (2018).

Bass, Ratcliff & Gretton Ltd, 137 High Street, Burton-Upon-Trent. It was founded in 1777 and registered in January 1880. Further merged with Bass, Mitchell’s & Butler, then Bass Charrington PLC, of 30 Portland Place, London, who were once the country’s largest brewer, and owned over 7 000 pubs.