Our Story
Not born yesterday...
Our Roots
The roots of the brewery stretch back to 2003, when a tiny microbrewery was founded on the beautiful Exminster Marshes nature reserve.
In 2007, Alan Collyer founded Exeter Brewery, setting the course for steady growth and innovation ever since.
Brewing Beginnings
First there was Ferryman®
Our original ale, Ferryman®, is a classic copper-coloured best bitter with a perfect balance of malt and fruit flavours. Although refined and improved over time, it remains our second-best seller and a true Exeter classic.
Then came Avocet® – Devon’s Organic Ale®
In 2009, we launched Avocet®, Devon’s very first organic real ale. Light, blonde and slightly citrusy with a gentle hop aroma, it quickly became our best-seller and continues to lead the line today. Whether in bottle or cask, Avocet’s easy-drinking character appeals to a wide range of palates.
Growing the Range
With Avocet’s success, we expanded our line-up to include:
- Lighterman – A refreshing 3.4% session ale
- County Best – A rich 4.6% bitter
- Darkness® – Our full-bodied 5.1% stout and multi-award-winning CAMRA favourite
Each beer continues to showcase our passion for quality and craft.
A New Home in the Heart of Exeter
Expansion meant we had been looking for a new site for some time. Not easy, because we wanted to be in the heart of Exeter. In 2013 a site became available that we had had our eyes on for some time...
...a beautiful old red-brickbuilding, perfect for a new home and our Cowley Bridge Road site was born.
Supporting Our Community
We are proud supporters of local charities and organisations including The Exeter Foundation, the Armed Forces Parade, SAR Search & Rescue, Wooden Spoon & Hospiscare
- Our Tomahawk® ale helps raise funds for the Exeter Foundation.
- ’FraidNot®, our IPA-style beer, was created in support of the Search & Rescue Service.
- We even brew Rifleman for the British Army Rifles, celebrating our long-standing community ties.
Wooden Spoon
- We have supported this great charity each year, for the last 14 years.
- Between the Wooden Spoon and Exeter Foundation we have raised an equivalent of more than £50,000 over the last ten years.
Growth And Laying Foundations
We have always tried to do our bit for the community; to become not just Exeter Brewery, but Exeter’s brewery
We continue to support numerous local events and good causes.
Covid
During Covid we had to keep working to survive, so we began safely delivering to homes throughout Devon and beyond.
We are grateful to all the folks that bought from us during that period, many of whom have become regular customers.
Delivering to the NHS
During this time we were asked to help distribute Personal Protection Equipment to NHS health centres throughout Devon.
We were pleased to volunteer and delivered assorted PPE to over 100 NHS health centres, including 35,000 face masks.
Prince Harry receives a gift……….
Exeter City Council presented Prince Harry with a token from the City
...and chose a box of our ale.
Ahead of the game: Organics and sustainable export
Back in 2009 we produced the first organic ale in Devon, we followed this with other organic products including County Best (botttles only) IPL Lager, Darknesskeg and EX4
With increased awareness of our planet’s fragile ecology, we believe more sensitive production methods will become mainstream, and our organic products will become ever more sought-after.
Innovation and Expansion
After six years at our current site, we fully re-equipped with a new 25-barrel brew plant and additional facilities, including a new air-conditioned cellar. With this investment, we now occupy the entire site and are well positioned for future growth.
Pictured: Our purpose-built airconditioned beer cellar
New Markets, New Challenges, New products
Whilst we are dedicated to making the best quality and range of cask ale, we needed to expand our offer to both our existing customers and enable us to reach new and different markets.
We have therefore introduced four keg & can products. These have been really well received, IPL lager, EX4 and DarknessKeg all receiving prestigious Gold SIBA awards.
We are extremely proud of these awards; as newcomers to the lager and keg market it's great to receive the validation of our craft and creativity that these awards represent.
Lager Crafty keg & cider
While cask ale remains our cornerstone, we’ve expanded into new markets with a range of keg products and even cider and lager.
- Darkness®keg – Smokey, roasted coffee aromas with burnt chocolate and liquorice taste, our full-stout has long been a multi-award winning CAMRA favourite in cask. Now Darkness® is available in keg and can. Winner of SIBA Gold
- IPL: Devon’s Original Organic Lager – This light straw-coloured lager has mild citrus with apple and vanilla aromas with a refreshing light citrus taste and an easy-drinking fizz. Certified Organic and vegan friendly. Available in keg and can. Winner of SIBA Gold
- EX4 - This mid-golden keg beer has real depth of flavour and mild carbonation, we call it our West Country IPA. Grassy hops and citrus bitterness. 4.8% abv. Organic and vegan friendly. Available in keg and can. Winner SIBA Gold
- Sumasider – Our own blend of great tasting, easy drinking, 4.5% medium cider
Each new release helps us bring the taste of Exeter to more people, in more places, than ever before.
The Hourglass Inn
In 2021 we took on our first pub, the well loved The Hour Glass Inn.
Renowned for its quirky atmosphere and local following, this 1840’s pub combines first rate food and drink with traditional pub feel.
Cheers from Exeter
From our humble beginnings on the marshes to our modern home in the city, Exeter Brewery continues to grow through craft, community, and care for the environment.
Cheers from all of us at Exeter Brewery!
