THE TRURO TAP YARD IS SET TO BECOME A CORNISH BEER PARADISE AFTER IT OPENED ON SATURDAY 1 JULY 2023. SKINNER’S BREWERY AND GOODH BREWING CO HAVE JOINED FORCES TO CRAFT A TOP VENUE FOR ALE, FOOD ‘N’ MUSIC…
When Truro-based Skinner’s Brewery went into administration in October 2022, we wept into our pints of Betty Stogs here at Proper Cornwall. This really was an unexpected and sad end to one of Cornwall’s favourite breweries, which had been making top ale for 25 years.
What would become of its base in Truro‘s Newham Road, just five minutes walk down the riverside from Lemon Quay, and what would become of the cute tap room that had not long been built in its yard?
We expected them to disappear into the ether, to be honest, given the current financial climate. So we’re head over hoppy heels to report that this is not the case at all. Because Skinner’s is reopening and its classic beers are being brewed for the masses once again!
Yes, Skinner’s Brewery was rescued by Indian Queens-based Goodh Brewing Company, which is owned by Louis and Jessica Simpson, earlier this year and both teams have since joined forces to get those kegs turning and those cans full of the tasty stuff. That means that the famous Skinner’s brews like Porthleven, Betty Stogs and Lushingtons should be available once again over the coming weeks.
Goodh had earlier reported that it had taken ‘the Skinner’s brand and beers’ under their ‘wing’ and confirmed that the team ‘will be brewing the well-known beers again at the Newham Industrial Estate’ base. And they added that there will be a return for Skinner’s brews like Ginger Tosser, PennyComeQuick and Cornish Knocker too. Naughty by name, nice by nature…
So, what’s the best way to celebrate this news? A grand re-opening, of course! Only the Skinner’s x Goodh event from 12 midday on Saturday 1 July 2023 isn’t really a re-opening at all. It’s an opening. A fresh new start to toast what the team calls ‘the ultimate Cornish partnership’.
Cans of Porthleven beer. Back in production again, thanks to the Goodh team!
Last summer, Proper Cornwall joined with the Skinner’s Brewery team to promote the then-new Cornish Hellup! Lager. See here for details on that story. We also worked together to shout out about Skinner’s Brewery as it was then. Read here for the old story. In both pieces, we shouted out about the new Tap Yard Bar and Cafe, which was purpose-built on the Newham site right next to the brewery and shop, and was welcoming people from Truro and beyond in for food and beers.
So, of course, when the brewery closed for what seemed like forever in October last year, so did our hopes and dreams for this fab tap yard. But Goodh has just announced that the site is once again to have a tap yard. The Truro Tap Yard, no less. Or, for its official name, The Tap Yard in Truro. And it’s here on Saturday 1 July that the opening party will be held. And you’re all invited.
The ‘ultimate’ tap yard!
Goodh and Skinner’s call The Tap Yard in Truro ‘the ultimate venue for food, beer, live music and sport’. The team confirms that ‘original Skinner’s ales will be served alongside more than 15 Goodh Brew Co craft beers and our signature buttermilk chicken’. A spokesperson did note that ‘times are tough out there and some would say it is a little crazy to be introducing a new venue’ but the team added that ‘we have worked tirelessly to create a place we hope locals will love’.
A range of Cornish brands is expected to be on sale at the tap yard, including quality Cornish spirits and ‘non-alcoholic alternatives including tea and coffee’, as well as wine. Jessica Simpson says: “The local support we have already received has been amazing. We have had people from the surrounding businesses in daily to check if we are open yet. We are hoping we can offer a great lunch venue for businesses and locals alike with our delicious chicken, cask ale and craft beer.”
Louis Simpson adds: “I worked in Newham 18 or so years ago so it’s a return to base for me! I would have loved to have had access to the taproom then! A couple of weeks ago I was sat in the Tap Yard with the sun blazing down and I could not think of many places I would rather be once Betty starts flowing from the casks we’ve been busily brewing.”
The brewery is back! This is the site in the Newham area of Truro
The spokesperson added that the team was ‘proud to share that all the original award-winning Skinners recipes are being brought back to life under the stewardship of our female head brewer Paola Leather’. It also added that it was ‘excited’ to showcase the high quality Goodh brews alongside the Skinner’s ones. And the team said that bottles of beer from the brewery will be available to buy in Cornwall, direct from the brewery and from pubs that stock Skinner’s products. Cans will be available online and from the brewery site too.
Be there from 12midday on Saturday 1 July 2023 for the grand opening. Following that, The Tap Yard in Truro will be open between 11.30am and 10.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, 11.30am and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 12 midday and 7pm for the bar only on Sundays. We’ll drink to that. Cheers!