Devon’s Utopian Brewing is the brewery partner in the relaunch of Hatherleigh’s Tally Ho!, a new country inn and brewery opening today.
Key to the renovation is a new cellar, making up to 12 keg and four cask lines available on the bar. Utopian’s independent craft lager will feature prominently, with both its flagship Premium Lager and a Tally Ho Bo Ho Bohemian Lager on permanent keg lines. There will also be Wondrous Isles Modern Pale Ale and British Pale Ale on cask, joined by a rotating line-up of specials.
Plans have also been revealed to bring the Tally Ho’s in-house microbrewery back into active service. The building at the rear of the pub served as Hatherleigh’s town bakery until 1990, when it was turned into a brewery. It produced a wide range of cask and bottled beers for Tally Ho and the local market as the Tally Ho Brewery. until 2007.
Under the guidance of Utopian’s head brewer, Jeremy Swainson, the brewery is set to be reactivated, for small-batch brews. There will be tasting days and other brewery experiences for beer fans.
“Supplying local pubs has been at the heart of the Utopian story all along,” said Utopian Brewery managing director Richard Archer. “The local support we received through the pandemic played a big part in our survival and growth, so it has been extra special for us to be able to put something back and to invest into the relaunch of the Tally Ho! alongside Ben and Tom.
“We are all delighted to be able to retain the pub’s historic character while introducing a contemporary feel with the renovation, as well as introducing some of our favourite local and independent breweries and wine and spirit producers.
“The brewhouse is a significant part of the Tally Ho! history and we’re excited about the prospect of bringing it back into operation very soon, and brewing some small-batch and special editions both for the Tally Ho! and the wider market. The new kitchen menu will bring a range of British classics alongside some internationally-inspired dishes, all using only the finest local, ethically-sourced produce.
“We’re especially proud to be doing this in Hatherleigh, which took a knock when the main agricultural market closed a few years back. But the community is looking forward to the opening of the upcoming Pannier Market, and we hope that the rejuvenated Tally Ho! serving great local produce and bringing brewing back to the town will provide a revitalised and vibrant community hub and attract visitors back to the area.”
The relaunch of the Tally Ho! is a fifty-fifty venture between Utopian Brewing and Ben Bailey and Tom
Cosgrove-Chubb, who acquired the freehold of the pub after living in Hatherleigh and operating several successful businesses together. They got involved in sectors including sustainable energy and events, where they first crossed paths with Utopian Brewing. Ben, Tom, and Rich are hopeful that this joint
venture will be the first of many.
The pub opens from 5pm today.
