Amazing adventures in alcohol: Cornwall’s best drinks tours

Cornwall may have a well-earned a reputation as one of the foremost UK foodie hotspots, but it would be remiss to overlook the Duchy’s numerous craft ales, stand-out spirits and world-class wines! Whether you’re lucky enough to live in the south west or booking a Cornish break, be sure to include these top alcohol tasting tours in your plans of what to do in Cornwall.

(image: Knightor Winery website)

Savour Cornish Ale on a brewery tour

At the last count there were 39 breweries in Cornwall. That’s a lot of beer to be sampled!

For behind the scenes tours at one of the best-known breweries head to the St Austell Brewery in St Austell, home to Tribute and Proper Job. The Brewing Experience tour includes the chance to learn about the history and heritage of one of Cornwall’s oldest businesses, a walkthrough of the small batch brewery and opportunity to sample the wares.

Skinners Brewery in Truro also offers tours, followed by a tutored beer tasting of the likes of Betty Stogs, Cornish Knocker and Porthleven.

More boutique micro-brewery tours can be enjoyed at Driftwood Spars in St Agnes and the Bird in Hand and Paradise Brewery at Hayle (by prior arrangement).

For a comprehensive up to date list of Cornish breweries visit the Beer Today website.

(image: Skinner's Brewery website)

Celebrate English wine on a vineyard tour

Cornwall’s Camel Valley is a shining success story for English wines, with a raft of awards and accolades chalked up over the years for this family-owned business. Tours are a relaxed affair in a stunning setting, with the team sharing their infectious love of winemaking along with the delicious wines. Or simply visit to enjoy sipping bubbles on the sunny terrace.

Quality Cornish still and sparkling wine can also be enjoyed on a tour of Knightor Winery near the Eden Project above St Austell Bay. As well as regular guided tours there are lunches, feasts and themed events from Pinot Noir to cocktail making workshops featuring the new Knightor Vermouth.

Not to be outdone, Cornish cider is enjoying a renaissance. Head to the further reaches of west Cornwall for tours of the orchard, vineyard and cider farm at Polgoon near Penzance and to sample their wines and cider.

(image: Polgoon Vineyard & Orchard Facebook page)

Discover Cornish craft spirits on a distillery tour

It’s hard to keep up with the growth of Cornish gins, with the county now widely recognised as producing some of the best around. This summer sees the opening of Cornwall’s first single estate or ‘plough to bottle’ distillery at Colwith Farm near Lostwithiel. The new facility houses a visitor centre with tours to see the process from start to finish, where potatoes grown on the family farm are transformed into Aval Dor Vodka and Stafford’s Gin.

Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm near St Agnes offers guided tours of the distillery to see where their brandy, whiskey and cyders (including the famous Rattler) are crafted.

(image: Colwith Farm Distillery)

Talland Bay and Gin

At Talland Bay Hotel we take our bar menu very seriously, championing many homegrown tipples and featuring over eighty gins! We will be launching our very own gin later this season, blended by Steve at Colwith Farm Distillery.

If you’re partial to a drop of mother’s ruin, why not book our Cornish Gin Odyssey short break…