In the same week that Kelham Island Brewery was saved, Skinner’s Brewery, in Truro, Cornwall, has announced that it will enter administration on Monday.
Steve Skinner behind the bar at the brewery tap yard, opened in 2021
In a social media statement, the company, which was established in 1997, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, stockists, suppliers, the ‘Skinner’s Beer Tribe’, and the whole community for so many years of steadfast support. We hope to bring you further updates soon.”
The brewery was established on Truro’s Newham Industrial Estate in 1997 by Steve Skinner, after running the Tipsy Toad Brewery on Jersey.
The brand soon became well known for its hoppy, golden ales, with marketing focusing on the folklore of Cornwall. This gave names such as Cornish Knocker and, perhaps the best known of the core range, Betty Stogs.
Betty, indeed, came to life, in the form of Fred Thomas, a worker at country store M A Grigg, who would, pantomime dame style, don Betty’s garb for a multitude of fundraising stunts. Cask aficionadoes will remember Betty’s regular appearances at the Great British Beer Festival, often leading the raucous, fancy-dressed Falmouth Marine Band, who also had a long association with Skinner’s.
The brewery has been a big beast in West Country Brewing, brands such as Porthleven and Lushingtons being almost as ubiquitous down here as Doom Bar and Tribute. Who could have guessed all those years ago that Cornwall would be home to such big beers?
There is a huge list of groups and charities which Skinner’s has supported over the years, from rugby teams to hospitals. At the start of 2021, the company, battered by Covid, as many businesses were, crowdfunded to keep going and raised so much it was able to create a very good taproom at its Truro base.
The businesses has one tied pub, the Old Ale House, in Truro city centre, and that business is continuing, says Skinner’s. The beer will be much missed however, and we can hold out hope that there might be a champion out there to save the brewery.
