Last week I turned my out-of-office on and took a well-earned holiday! And was lucky enough to re-visit a very special place to me and have some of the lived out some of the fondest memories I have, where I spent countless family holidays as a youngster, back in a time when the only beers I knew the name of were Carling and John Smiths…. oh, how things have changed since then!
After not having the opportunity to for the last 10 years and as a surprise treat for my recent 40th birthday from my partner Rachel we set on the 300+ mile journey to Cornwall, specifically the picturesque surfers paradise Gwithian Towans, St Ives and the surrounding areas. I’d completed the Manchester marathon the weekend before and needed some time to rest and recover, but I was excited to explore the local beer scene and relax after four months of hard training.
So at the top of my to-do list was visit St Ives Brewery & taproom in Hayle, a few miles outside of St Ives. A brewery we’ve bought loads of beer off over the last couple of years and who we recently featured in our monthly subscription club for February.
As we arrived at the taproom, we were immediately greeted by a friendly barman who had a pocketful of dog biscuits on hand for our furry companion Indy the cockapoo. This thoughtful gesture set the tone for the afternoon – warm hospitality and a laid-back atmosphere. Rachel and I settled in at one of the tables in the stunningly furbished seating area, nicely built to enclose visitors in and cleverly remove that cold feeling you often encounter when sitting in tap rooms based right in the heart of the action itself, but still leaving the industrious views of the gleaming and shiny stainless steel brewing vessels.
I immediately set about checking out the huge beer menu behind the bar, which in a few ways reminded me a lot of Track Brewing in Manchester where, if I had to guess would say Marco and the team at St Ives may have taken a little inspiration from? I was eager to sample some of the beer on offer I’d not already had the good fortune of trying in bottle or can format received in our deliveries back at BoBB HQ.
I opted for a pint of Slipway, an easy-drinking hazy, hoppy NEIPA with a refreshing fruity finish. Meanwhile, Rachel, who prefers cider to beer, opted a St Ives Gold cider produced just a few short miles away, which she assured me was delicious!
As we sipped our drinks, and chatted with some locals we grew ever more jealous of the pizza’s being brought inside from the travelling pizza van outside on the carpark that was being featured that day, sadly we’d already eaten so didn’t get to sample them ourselves, but they both looked and smelt amazing.
One of the standout features of the taproom for me was its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves, whether they were locals or tourists just like us.
The taproom also hosts live music events and other food trucks throughout the summer, making it a great place to spend an evening relaxing with friends.
To give myself the opportunity to try a couple more beers I opted for 2 half pints, this first was Destination DIPA a hazy double IPA and at 8% it was probably a good idea I only had a half! But unlike a lot of other beers of this sort of strength that can sometimes be a little harsh with that extra alcohol hit, this was smooth, juicy and very enjoyable.
My second half was a very interesting Espresso West Coast IPA, this one wasn’t messing about either at 6.3%, but again it was smooth and packed with citrus & fruity notes but finished with a nice subtle roast bitterness from those coffee beans, which were used in a collaboration with Yallah Roasters, a single origin and sustainable coffee roaster based just down the road in Falmouth.
For those planning a trip to the area and you, the taproom really is a must-visit destination. Not only will you be able to enjoy great beers and ciders on offer, but you’ll also get to experience the laid-back and friendly atmosphere that Cornwall is famous for. I can't wait to go back and visit again soon.
Cheers!
