History

SUMMERSKILLS
Plymouth's only Brewery.

Adam Summerskill first established a 2.5 Barrel brewery in his vineyard in St. Anne's Chapel, Bigbury in 1983. In 1984 he moved it to the White Lion in Stonehouse, Plymouth and again it was moved to 1985 to it's present premises, where it was also expanded to a 10 Barrel brew length with the purchase of the redundant Penrhos Brewery kit (Penrhos was owned by Terry Jones of Monty Python fame).
Production lapsed in 1988 and the brewery now lying dormant was bought by Rick Wilson and Carl Beeson in 1990 and brought it back to life. Since then it has gone from strength to strength by producing prize winning beers which are delivered locally by Carl and further afield by carefully chosen Wholesalers,i.e.Waverley TBS (Beer Seller) all depots, Andy White T/A Allsorts 01726-871133, R.C.H 01934-834447, Vinecombes 01803-322213, M & D Soft Drinks 01752-777127, Flying Firkin 01282-865923 and Small Beer 01522-540431 thereby giving nation wide coverage.
In 2005 Rick's interest in the Brewery was bought by Carl who is now the proprietor and he employs David Lewis (a.k.a. Norman) the Brewery's former Campaign for Real Ale-Brewery Liason Officer as Brewer.

The Brewery Logo was taken by Adam from the De Burgh family coat of arms who accompanied William the Conqueror and it was also featured as a Ship's Crest for H.M.S. Bigbury Bay. Carl being a former member of the Royal Navy was keen to keep this link with the Senior Service and the Logo was kept

Since the Brewery was acquired in 1990 the following awards have been won,

1992   Finalists in the Radio 4 and Radio Times Enterprise Awards for small businesses.
1993   Best Bitter. Class Winner and Supreme Champions, SIBA, Maltings Beer Festival.
1994    Indiana's Bones, Supreme Champion, Plymouth CAMRA Festival.
1994/95   Indiana's Bones, Runner Up, CAMRA Great British Beer Festival.
1995   Ninjabeer. Class Winner, SIBA Maltings Beer Festival.
1997   Ninjabeer. Class Winner, SIBA Maltings Beer Festival.
1999   Shamrock Stout, Gold Award, The Beauty of Hops English Ales.
2001   Cellar Vee, Supreme Champion, Cornwall CAMRA Falmouth Beer Festival.