About Cotleigh Brewery

In 2019 Cotleigh Brewery will be celebrating its 40th anniversary and in the words of owner Stephen Heptinstall ‘we intend to be here for another 40 years.

At the heart of our mission is to make the best beer we can.

Originally founded in a farmhouse over the border in Devon, the brewery moved to its current home of Wiveliscombe in 1980 and its first ever beer Tawny Owl remains a popular beer throughout the county. ‘The first pub we sold to was the Mason's Arms in Knowstone,’ says Heptinstall. ‘It is now a Michelin Star restaurant but we have been there without interruption for 40 years and Tawny is the only real ale sold there.’

In the brewhouse, whole head hops are used, while the yeast is changed twice a year to keep it in excellent condition. Brewing staff are also sent on courses regularly to find out the latest ideas and trends, while in the rare occurrence of a beer being less than perfect it is tipped away. ‘In the current environment,’ says Heptinstall, ‘only a top quality beer will give our sales people the confidence to build a great relationship with their customers, which is why pubs see Cotleigh as a “go to guest beer” — i.e. quality, consistency and a name that consumers recognise as being synonymous with craft quality.’

Signature beer

Barn Owl, 4.5%

Easy drinking best bitter with hints of malt on the nose, while the palate has a nutty and malt-driven character before finishing bittersweet.

Brewery details

Established

1979

Beers Produced

24

Hectolitres (per year)

5 000

Brewery Tours

Yes

Brewery Taproom/Bar Available

Yes
Cotleigh Brewery

Contact the business

Opening times

Mon - Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm, Sat 9am - 4.30pm

Address

Ford Road, Wiveliscombe, Somerset TA4 2RE