New Exmoor Brewery restores brewing to Wiveliscombe

First brew to support local charity

Brewing is returning to Wiveliscombe in Somerset later this month, when the New Exmoor Brewery will start brewing on the site of the former Cotleigh Brewery in the town, with the first beer to roll off the line raising money for the local Jim Laker Charitable Trust.

Exmoor Ales ceased brewing at its Golden Hill site in Wiveliscombe in May this year, at the same time starting a collaboration with Hogs Back Brewery which saw its award-winning ales replicated at the Surrey brewer’s site. Hogs Back will continue to brew Exmoor’s main beers for the time being including Exmoor Gold, Exmoor Ale and Silver Stallion, while the New Exmoor Brewery will focus on NPD, specials like Exmoor Beast and limited edition beers, brewed by former Cotleigh head brewer Shaun Vockins.

Exmoor Drinks – the company created when brewing ceased at the Golden Hill site – will continue to distribute all Exmoor Ales brands, as well as Hogs Back’s flagship Tongham TEA, into pubs and bars across the south west, while Hogs Back will handle distribution into other areas and all off-trade customers. Hogs Back will also be investing in the Exmoor Ales beers, to introduce them to a broader audience.

The collaboration with Hogs Back and opening of New Exmoor Brewery saves 10 local jobs. It also opens up distribution opportunities for Exmoor, which is looking for a small group of brewer partners whose beers it can distribute in its south west heartlands.

Exmoor Drinks chairman Jonathan Price said: “We are beyond thrilled to be brewing back in ‘Wivey’, where we started brewing in 1979, in a new brewery proudly showing the Exmoor name and our iconic stag logo. Deciding to close our brewing operation in May was done with a heavy heart, as the only response to insurmountable business challenges.

“Our collaboration with Hogs Back has been a lifeline, allowing us to remain independent and keep our ales on tap and on shelves for our many loyal drinkers across the south west – and introduce them to new drinkers, thanks to Hogs Back’s distribution network.

“Our first brew in the new brewhouse will be a celebration of a Wiveliscombe brewing tradition, a Tawny Ale, and 10p from every pint sold will go to the Jim Laker Charitable Trust, founded in memory of a Wivey legend who originally owned Exmoor Ales.”

Price added: “I am also delighted to welcome Simon French who will be rejoining the business as managing director designate at the beginning of September. He will be recruiting additional team members and we plan to rebuild Exmoor to its former glory, and beyond!”

French joined Exmoor Ales 11 years ago as their first full time field sales employee and worked there for three-and-a-half years. He leaves Timothy Taylor’s brewery, where he was business development manager, to rejoin Exmoor.

Collaborations offer way to prosper

Hogs Back Brewery chairman Rupert Thompson said: “In these very difficult times, one way to survive and, in time, prosper, is to collaborate with fellow like-minded businesses. We were pleased to be in a position to help Exmoor Ales and keep alive this popular local beer brand.

“Now more than ever, there is a thirst among consumers for independent, local speciality beers that are not all just owned by global brewers, so we are confident that with local support Exmoor Drinks has a bright future ahead.”

Raising a glass with the team at the brewery was Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, who visited to hear about their plans to save jobs and an independent business and rebuild on the long Wivey brewing history.

Caption to attached image: Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, (third from left) with The New Exmoor Brewery team (l-r) Taiya Burgess with her dog, Ace; Allan Bryant; Shaun Vockins, Jonathan Price and Rupert Thompson, with his dog Basil

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Notes to editors

Exmoor Ales

• Exmoor Ales was founded in 1979 as one of the UK’s first microbreweries, brewing at the Victorian-era Hancock Brewery on Golden Hill in Wiveliscombe, Somerset.

• The brewery achieved early fame by winning CAMRA’s Champion Best Bitter Award in 1980 with Exmoor Ale. Exmoor Gold, launched in 1986, was the UK’s first ‘golden ale’, starting a new category which is now included in almost all brewery ranges. It is Exmoor’s biggest seller in cask and bottle.   

• Exmoor’s range also includes:  

Exmoor Beast 6.6%, a famous strong dark porter

Exmoor Stag 4.8%, brewed to celebrate Somerset CCC’s 100th anniversary in 1991 and still going strong as a premium bitter

Wicked Wolf 4.2%, a golden ale brewed with a slight hint of Juniper, the result of a unique collaboration with Wicked Wolf Gin, based on Exmoor

Hogs Back Brewery

• Hogs Back Brewery was founded in 1992 in Tongham, Surrey. Its flagship brand, Tongham TEA (Traditional English Ale), is a leading regional ale in the south-east. 

• In 2014 Hogs Back planted its own revival hop garden.  It celebrated its 10th Hop Harvest last September, harvesting Fuggles, English Cascade, and Farnham White Bine hops.  It is the largest integrated hop grower and brewer in the UK.

• In 2024, it won the Le May Cup for its White Bine hop and received Gold and Silver awards for its Fuggles and English Cascade hops, respectively.

• The brewery's range includes award-winning draught, bottled, and canned beers, showcasing its blend of brewing expertise and innovation. Notable awards include:

Little Swine 0.5%: Gold medals in the European Beer Challenge 2024 and SIBA National Independent Beer Awards 2024.

A over T (Aromas over Tongham) 9% ABV: CAMRA’s Champion Bottled Beer of Britain 2020.

Hogstar lager: Gold medal in the World Beer Awards 2017.

Hazy Hog: Bronze medal in the International Cider Challenge 2019.

Tongham TEA: The first beer brewed by Hogs Back in 1992, Tongham TEA has won multiple awards including runner-up in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain in 2000.

• Committed to sustainability, Hogs Back has introduced 120 solar panels to its roof, sells spent grain to local farmers as animal feed and aims to reduce its single-use plastic, having introduced refillable glass Snorters and Snifters flagons.  It has removed over 20,000 PETs bottles from its business, and earning Plastic Free Champion status from Surfers Against Sewage. 

• In January 2025, Miles Chesterman became Managing Director, with owner Rupert Thompson now serving as Executive Chairman.

• In 2024, Hogs Back stepped in to help craft brewer Mondo, investing to secure the future of its brands and the brewery and taproom in Battersea.

• In May 2025, Hogs Back entered into a collaboration with Exmoor Ales, investing in a restructure and taking a 40% stake in the new business, Exmoor Drinks.  

Issued on behalf of: New Exmoor Brewery

By: ShielPorter Communications

Further information:

Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137

John Porter: john@shielporter.com / 07734 054389

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