The beer garden may have had its moment, but Exeter Brewery is marking the arrival of autumn by keeping things decidedly local.
As evenings begin to draw in, the independent brewery is inviting drinkers to its newly extended tap room. The beer is crafted just metres from the bar, and even finds its way into pies.
The brewery has teamed up with fellow Devon producer Tom’s Pies to serve its award-winning pies with mash, minted peas and proper gravy every Thursday and Friday evening.
Tom’s steak and ale pie is made using Darkness, Exeter Brewery’s smooth stout. It’s a partnership the brewery believes reflects the importance of local independent businesses supporting each other.
Alongside Darkness, the Tap Room serves the brewery’s award-winning ales and a kegged range including IPL, Devon’s first organic lager, Darkness Keg, and EX4, together with the brewery’s own Sumasider cider.
“We’re an independent Devon brewery and, wherever we can, we like to work with other good local businesses,” said managing director Any Collyer. “Tom’s Pies is a natural fit. They make their pies here in Devon, we make our beer here in Exeter, and our award-winning Darkness goes into their steak and ale pie. We then serve the two together a few metres from where the beer is brewed.
“Two independent Devon businesses working together and, hopefully, giving people something they genuinely want to eat and drink.”
The extended tap room opens to the public every Thursday and Friday, from 5pm. It is also available outside its regular opening hours for private parties, celebrations, corporate events, meetings, and brewery tours.
The space has a full bar, large screen, and projector, with food ranging from pie and mash to buffets and more formal meals by arrangement. Private hire is also available Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, during the day or evening, and during the daytime on Thursdays and Fridays.
