Bays’ latest charity beer collaboration with Paignton Zoo has taken the brewery’s total donation to £30,000 in support of endangered wildlife.
The Paignton-based brewery have reached the major milestone after a long-standing partnership with the zoo that spans back to 2013. This was when when they launched the first of a long line-up of ‘animal’ ales.
Since then, a bevy of charity brews have followed — including Funky Monkey, Savannah Ale, Orangutan Ale, Crocod-ale, and Trunk Ale.
The most recent collaboration, Claw, raised a total of £1,500 and has helped fund the refurbishment of a new swimming pool for the zoo’s critically endangered Sumatran tigers.
But it wasn’t just sales that made the project possible. Members of the brewery team were invited to kick-start the pool clean-out alongside zoo staff earlier this year.
Four brave Bays members got their paws dirty digging out years of debris from within the tiger enclosure itself, paving the way for the new addition for the water-loving big cats.
“Passing the £30,000 mark is a proud moment for our family-run brewery, and seeing part of that total go towards a brand new pool for Paignton Zoo’s Sumatran tigers is the icing on the cake,” said Peter Salmon, director of Bays Brewery.
“From rolling up our sleeves inside the enclosure to brewing each pint of Claw, every step has been driven by a shared goal: giving one of the world’s rarest big cats the best possible future. A huge thank you to all our customers who raised a glass for a great cause.”
Paignton Zoo business development manager, Steph Dawson, added: “This project shows what can be achieved when local businesses come together with a shared vision.
“Reaching £30,000 in total fundraising through our ongoing partnership with Bays Brewery is a testament to the power of long-term collaboration and shared commitment to wildlife conservation.”
In addition to the £30,000 raised for animal conservation, the family-run brewery is also giving back to the Devon community it calls home with three further limited-edition charity brews for 2025.
Available on its online shop and in pubs across Devon, each beer supports a local charity close to the brewery’s heart, with 5% of every pint and bottle sold going directly to worthy causes.
