Just a few minute’s walk outside of Truro’s city centre, sitting pretty on the banks of the Truro River, is one of Cornwall’s best breweries. Skinner’s Brewery churns out some of the county’s favourite tipples and it also opens its arms wide to visitors throughout the week.
Steve Skinner established the brewery in 1997. With his family, he brewed a golden ale called Cornish Knocker – named after ‘tin-mining faeries of local myth’ – and it was an instant hit. He followed it up with a Cornish bitter that was named the Campaign for Real Ale’s best bitter in Britain, Betty Stogs. Since then, the brewery has grown and the family has seen much success over the years, with a never-ending stream of grog being produced on the premises and plenty of awards being given to the team. Today’s best-sellers include the sensational Porthleven pale ale, the famous Lushingtons IPA, and new for 2022, the fab Hellup! Larger.
Skinner’s motto is that they’re ‘More than a Brewery’, which proves true at their waterside brewing site as it also houses their Tap Yard Bar and Cafe which has some awesome displays of its past session ales on the walls as well as a fab view of the actual brewing in process through the windows. Inside there’s a tasting room and cosy snug, perfect for whiling away the hours. Skinner’s adapted the outdoor area during 2021 resulting in a great space for those summer sessions by the river. Keep an eye out on their website for live music and events throughout the summer. Of course for those that simply want a quiet night in accompanied by one of the brews you can pop in buy some of the ales from the onsite shop at the Truro brewery and take them home with you.
The business also has its own pub, The Old Ale House, in Quay Street, Truro, just five minutes walk from the brewery, near Lemon Quay. At both the brewery and pub, you can sample tasty tipples. Frankly, we like them all but the best way to appreciate them is to go to the source and enjoy a beer just metres from where it is brewed. Cheers!