Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot is one of only a handful of floor Maltings that produces malt in the traditional way and its the only traditional Maltings in England that is open to the public for guided tours. More importantly for beer aficionados it has a ‘bottle shop’ which has a wide range of speciality bottled beers many brewed from their very own malt. They also sell a selection of wines, malt gifts and other locally produced products.

Their shop is open throughout the year and is in my view a 'must visit and buy' . Their array of bottles are sourced not only locally but from all over the UK and abroad, they are tantalisingly appealing. Many of them if not most would never be found on any of the UK supermarkets shelves. Devon is indeed lucky to have such a shop.

So if you do find yourself sitting in of an evening then what’s better than having something special and unique to drink. A random sample from their latest list are:

- Devon’s Country Life Brewery has made an ale called H.M.S. Montagu Commemorative Brew 4.2% 500 ml £2.10 This brew commemorates the battleship that ran aground off Lundy Island in 1906.
- Penlon Cottage Brewery Dark Chocolate Stout 4.5% 500 ml £2.35 A true chocolate stout! They also sell Penlon’s Twin Ram IPA and Ewes Frolic BC Lager
- Bishopsteignton’s Red Rock Brewery Driftwood Amber Bitter 4.3% £1.99 also their Breakwater Dark Bitter.
- Their own Edwin Tucker’s Empress Russian Porter 2006 Vintage a whacking 10.5% 275ml £2.15
- And don’t tell the French but they also have St. Austell Brewery’s Admirals Ale Trafalgar 200th Anniversary Release 5% 500 ml at £1.99; also try their refreshing Clouded Yellow Wheat beer. Brewed with the rare taste of vanilla, cloves and coriander. Superb on a spring day but make sure its lightly chilled. And if you feel like a trip overseas why not try one or two of their beers from Australia, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Lithuania, Czech, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Germany and USA


The list is endless. As I said at the beginning, I suggest that you visit them but if you cannot you can order on line at www.tuckersonline.co.uk No wonder South Devon CAMRA members are looking forward to their Branch AGM on Tuesday 12 June. It is being held in the shop. There will be some serious sampling of beers that night!

Colin Moore - 15/03/2007.

© Campaign for Real Ale & Ant Veal 2007. Designed & compiled for South Devon CAMRA by Ant Veal.
This page was last updated on 15-Mar-2007