Brewed in Bath: A better class of pint

Whether you fancy a thoughtfully poured local cider, a fridge full of adventurous craft cans or a sun-drenched beer garden at the back of a centuries-old pub, Bath’s beer scene has never been better. Melissa Blease says “Cheers for the beers.”

The history of commercial brewing in Bath dates back to when Ralph Allen, one of the founding fathers of the city, established a large brewery in Widcombe in 1736. A number of breweries sprung up during the course of the 18th century and by the end of the Victorian era, Bath had become heavily industrialised and beer was brewed in increasing volume.

Although we can’t be sure exactly which of Bath’s many traditional pubs is the oldest, the Old Green Tree (Green Street) was established around 1716 and the Bell Inn (Walcot Street) in 1753. The Star (London Road) has 1760’s origins, and The Grapes – housed in one of the few remaining Elizabethan buildings in Bath, on Westgate Street – was first recorded as a tavern in 1792; all of them continue to maintain a reputation for serving quality craft and local beers, ciders and ales today.

But as much as we support and treasure our historic havens, good times at the bars are changing. Since the modern craft beer revolution invaded in the early zeroes the independent brewing scene has gained significant momentum, changing our drinking tastes, habits and preconceptions for good.

In Bath, a range of relative newcomers to the independent supping scene have polished our beer goggles, supplementing and revitalising the city’s established pubs and bars. Together they combine to create plenty of opportunity for both traditionalists and those who crave new brews alike to raise a glass to Bath’s brewing brouhaha.”

Abbey Ales

Abbey Ales’ iconic, multi-award winning signature Bellringer bitter is, to Bath, what Champagne is to Épernay: you haven’t had a taste of the city until you’ve tried it. Sup it (and associated Abbey Ales brews) at the brewery’s own pubs in Bath including the Coeur de Lion (officially Bath’s smallest pub, on Northumberland Passage) and/or the historic Star Inn, both of which exemplify and maintain the true character of Bath’s longest-established brewery in their own right.

Bath Ales

Although the original Bath Ales brewery (founded in Wincanton, just up t’road from Bath in 1985) was digested into the St Austell Brewery portfolio in 2016, brand loyalty amongst Bath locals remains untouched. The quintessentially Brit-trad amber ale Gem remains to be one of the most perennially popular tipples at all Bath-based St Austell Brewery hostelries including the Locksbrook Inn (Locksbrook Road), the Hare and Hounds (Lansdown) and the Moorfields (Third Avenue, Oldfield Park).

Honey’s Cider

The Honey family bought their farm in Midford on the edge of Bath in 1960. 42 years later, Bob Honey revived the ancient orchards on the land and started producing cider. Some 17 years on, dynamic entrepreneur Kimberley Jones took the company’s reins and revitalised the business, which continues to produce a lively range of time-honoured and contemporary Somerset ciders using West Country apples and traditional techniques, stocked in most of Bath’s loveliest local hostelries.

Electric Bear Co/The Cub

Founded on the site of a former maltings on brassmill lane in 2015, the Electric Bear Co’s brewery, taproom and shop is Bath’s craft beer epicentre. From easy-drinking ales to highly-hopped, high-strength brews taking in a range of regular new and special releases along the way, it’s all available to buy live or online… or enjoy accompanied by grub courtesy of a revolving range of street food vendors on the taproom terrace every Thursday-Sunday.

Last year, the EBC introduced a brand new family member. The Cub (Shires Yard) offers 10 regularly-refreshed craft beer lines alongside guest cider varietals all to be enjoyed in a vibrant, contemporary environment. “These days, people tend to care more about what they’re drinking, where it’s made and who’s making it than ever before,” says Alfie Jarvis, The Cub’s Taproom Supervisor. “Most people have shifted from whatever’s cheapest to what they like the most, and the beer scene has become accessible to people who don’t necessarily know a whole lot about it, while still keeping it interesting enough for those who are mad about beer!

Somer Valley Brewery/The Welly

Brewed on a biodiverse farm less than 6 miles south-southwest of Bath city centre, Somer Valley Farms brews an exciting range of beers all made from the farm’s own, homegrown barley, with sustainability pushed to the fore of every single process from harvest to glass.

As of just last year, you can work your way through an impressive range of Somer Valley’s own brews alongside unique examples from fellow local brewers at The Welly (Green Street).

“The Welly is a natural extension of the Somer Valley Farm and Brewery story: a relaxed, welcoming craft beer taproom with sharing-style small plates that connects the brewing and farming arms of our business together,” says Ella Thomas, Somer Valley Marketing Lead.” It’s a laidback space that feels like your local. People are definitely drinking more thoughtfully these days, and there’s a real appetite for provenance in particular: who brewed your pint, where the ingredients came from, and what story’s behind it? The craft beer industry is unpretentious and accessible to interact with; first and foremost, it’s all about a sense of community. We’re really interested in keeping that traditional pub spirit alive while giving people beers that feel fresh, local and exciting. You don’t have to choose between heritage and innovation – Bath does both brilliantly.” And so does The Welly.

Bath Cider House

Bath didn’t have its own, dedicated cider house until the autumn of 2022 – and the Bath Cider House remains to be the only one of its kind in the city. But the fact that this alcoholic apple juice hotspot doesn’t have to fend off any competition in the category it so delightfully dominates doesn’t mean it rests on its laurels: unpeel your stress levels here, and this chilled-out, split-level pleasuredome (complete with spacious sun-trap terrace) ferments happiness to the core. Pouring through the taps from impressive 500-litre tanks on the bar, a vast range of ciders brewed in partnership with BCH’s scrumping partners Iford includes Somerset fave raves, modern craft pours and seasonal specials. On the food menu, perfect (and massive!) pizzas negate any excuse for having to get home in time for dinner.

The Bath Brew House

Established in 2013 and recently refurbished to maintain an enduringly fresh-faced perspective, the Bath Brew House (St James Street) is based around its very own award-winning microbrewery specialising in their very own pours from smooth cask ales to bold craft beers taking in crisp lagers along the way. You can get a taste of BBH beers in advance of a visit by checking out the current selection on the website and, once in situ, you can make the experience even more ‘intimate’ with a behind-the-scenes brewery tour headed up by Head Brewer Max Cadman, the ‘beer wizard’ responsible for the Brew House’s perennially-popular flagship ales Gladiator and Emperor, which have been a permanent pour since the Brew House first opened its doors.

The Kingsmead Bottle

This mellow hybrid muddle-up of craft beer sanctum, micro pub, bottle shop and artisan deli counter quietly shakes up preconceptions of ‘going for a pint’, offering the kind of supping/grazing experience that has more in common with a bar in, say, Bruges than it does with a traditional pubs; once you’ve made yourself at home here, you’ll end up wondering why you ever wanted to live anywhere else.

“The Kingsmead Bottle has always promoted community and craft beer,” says KSB General Manager Eli Wilde. “We boast a wide variety of craft beers from traditional ales to the trendiest of brews. We have local ciders on draught and in the fridge too, which appeal to locals and tourists alike. I’m confident in saying that there’s something here for everyone, even if you’re not a fan of beer-boozy flavour!”

Good Chemistry Brewing/The Hop Pole

Founded in Bristol in 2015, Good Chemistry Brewing have brought an authentic blast of creativity to the craft beer world. As of last month, Bathonians can sample a lively, rotating range of GC beers and guest pours ‘live’ at The Hop Pole (Upper Bristol Road), the company’s first pub and the start of a whole new era for one of Bath’s longest-established, most characterful hostelries with a legendarily lovely beer garden attached.