The Cornwall Blog

Charlestown harbour It was so lovely to have my brother visit in December. We enjoyed some proper sibling time, revisiting a few favourite haunts and indulging his passion for good coffee and beer. I thought the best plan was a little tour of some fine local establishments, enjoying the wonderful views in between the showers. Having grown up in Cornwall, my brother is no stranger to these parts, but these days it is a modern metropolis that he calls home. Well, Coventry actually, up country. Trips down here are rare but thoroughly enjoyed by us all, so I was glad to hang out with my kid brother and catch up. Coffee and cobbles in Charlestown The first chance we had to head out together came on a soggy and rather cold Saturday. He is not a great early riser, so my first thought was coffee. We headed to Charlestown and managed to squeeze into Short & Strong, where my brother thoroughly enjoyed a V60 pour-over coffee. I had a vegan hot chocolate with ha...

When thinking about what to bring you this month from the jewel that is Cornwall I settled on beer. We have a community of great brands growing in reputation and influence. You see my brother works for the much adored Beer Gonzo in Coventry and when he comes home I like to show him the new beers I might have found and the best places to drink them. Often, I must confess, initially choosing them (being a graphic designer) based on my love of packaging! Together we have found that Cornwall has plenty to offer the discerning palette. Here are some of the best brews to sample, views to enjoy as you drink and tours to embark on.  First up breweries, this is an ever growing list, but top has to be Verdant in Penryn. Going now since 2014 this independent is making a name for itself. Strong flavours packed with interest, one to recommend.  Perhaps the most well known breweries in our neck of the woods are Sharp's , St Austell and Skinners (recently rescued by Goodh Brewing co). Sh...

Archive note: This article was first published in November 2017. The event details, prices and fundraising figures below relate to that year. Beer had become big business, with the popularity of local varieties and more unusual brews giving drinkers an enormous amount of choice. In November 2017, St Austell Brewery hosted its popular Celtic Beer Festival deep within the brewery’s historic cellars. With almost 200 ales, stouts and lagers available, including many award-winning beers, it promised to be quite an event for anyone who enjoyed discovering something new. Visitors could expect familiar favourites such as Tribute, Proper Job and Korev, alongside new and limited-edition beers created especially for the occasion. Best of all, the profits went to the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust, supporting causes across the South West. At the time of the festival, the event had helped to raise £186,000. Entry t...

Deep beneath St Austell Brewery, its historic cellars were transformed for the 18th annual Celtic Beer Festival on Saturday 26 November 2016. The festival brought together almost 200 ales, stouts and lagers, including St Austell favourites such as Tribute, Proper Job and korev. Live bands performed throughout the day and into the evening, while the brewery said that all profits would support its charitable work across the South West. Beer and live music in the brewery cellars The Celtic Beer Festival offered the chance to try familiar favourites alongside guest beers, limited editions and rather more adventurous brews, all within the atmospheric surroundings of the brewery’s Victorian cellars. A long tradition of Cornish brewing St Austell Brewery traces its story back to 1851, when Walter Hicks began working as a wine merchant and maltster. He later started brewing at the Seven Stars Inn in St Austell, before the business moved to i...