Butcombe Brewing Co. was founded in 1978. It was a time of cultural, social and political change. Margaret Thatcher took the Tory leadership, the IRA waged war, the Yorkshire Ripper cast a long shadow over the North and the meaning of life was revealed as the number 42.
The team at Butcombe therefore shut out the world and made beer.
At that time, no one was risking it all by starting a traditional brewery, making simple, premium, easy-drinking ale. To do so was an act of defiance. Or madness. But, 39 years later, by staying true to their beliefs – and with a lot of hard graft – it looks like owning a resolutely traditional brewing company isn’t such a crazy idea after all. By going against the grain, to work intimately with it, the team at Butcombe made their own statement with every pint. And what was true then is just as important today.
There’s no pretence, no airs and graces, just a good honest pint made with talent and pride. Never a challenge but happy to surprise, whatever they brew you know that’s their best work in your glass.