St Austell Brewery brings back beer classics to celebrate 175th anniversary

March 5^th 2026: St Austell Brewery is raising a glass to its 175th anniversary with the launch of a special limited-edition cask ale range for 2026. The range includes several much-loved favourites, revived from the brewery’s archives.

Drawing on recipes from brewing books dating back to the 1800s, the 175th anniversary collection pays tribute to some of the most well-loved beers in St Austell Brewery’s history. Alongside reimagined beers from its past and current core range - including a new anniversary ale named 1851 - each release has been carefully curated.

Classics such as Admiral's Ale (5% ABV), first brewed in 2005 to mark the bicentenary of Nelson's triumph at Trafalgar will return, alongside best bitter Trelawny (3.8% ABV), named after Bishop Trelawny from Cornish folklore. The burnished copper ale is still fondly remembered by beer fans.

The final release in the eight-strong cask line-up is Tribute Extra (5.3% ABV), the big sibling of St Austell Brewery’s best-selling Tribute pale ale. Brewed with Cornish barley and signature Celeia and Willamette hops, the rich pale ale is bold, complex, and full of character - a true celebration of that little bit extra.

The collection forms part of St Austell Brewery’s wider programme of 175-year celebrations, which includes commemorative events, special collaborations and a renewed focus on the business’s heritage pubs and regional roots.

Georgina Young, Brewing Director at St Austell Brewery, said: “Reaching 175 years is an extraordinary milestone, so it felt only right to celebrate by bringing some of our most cherished beers back to life. Our brewing archives are full of wonderful recipes - beers that meant something to the people who brewed them and to the communities that enjoyed them.

“Revisiting classics, such as Trelawny and Tinners is a reminder of just how deeply our heritage runs, while giving us the chance to brew the beers with the quality and consistency made possible by modern techniques. As a team, we’re incredibly proud to honour our past while continuing to innovate for the beer drinkers of today.”

The commemorative cask beer range will be available in St Austell Brewery pubs and available to order for its wholesale customers. Cornish Ale, Trelawny – the first beer in the range – will be available from March 30^th.

For pubs wishing to stock the limited-edition beers, visit: https://staustellbrewerywholesale.co.uk/.

ENDS

About St Austell Brewery 

St Austell Brewery was founded as a family-owned company in 1851 and has been fuelled by Cornish spirit and independent thinking ever since. Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, it is the South West’s leading brewing, hospitality and drinks wholesale business. 

 The company operates two breweries, in St Austell and Warmley (near Bath), following the acquisition of Bath Ales in 2016. Its award-winning beers - including Tribute pale ale, Proper Job IPA and korev lager - are available in pubs and supermarkets nationwide. 

St Austell Brewery owns over 160 pubs and inns across the South West, comprising of 45 managed houses alongside leased and tenanted sites that are independently run by business partners. 

With a network of six distribution centres across the region, from St Columb to Wimborne, the company is the South West’s leading drinks wholesaler.

Proud of its heritage and inspired by the future, St Austell Brewery is brewing great experiences for generations to come. 

For more information, see https://www.staustellbrewery.co.uk/ or contact: 

Charlotte Turner Press Officer  

charlotte.turner@staustellbrewery.co.uk 07977 564 900 

Megan Chuter Head of Communications 

megan.chuter@staustellbrewery.co.uk 07970 379 690 

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