Overview: East Devon hosts a diverse collection of local producers transforming coastal botanicals and regional fruit into distinctive beverages. The area offers a drinks cabinet worth exploring, ranging from seaweed-scented gin to cider pressed from apples grown near Axminster.
The Full Story
Exmouth features Copper Frog Distilling, described as the county’s first and only distillery. This family-run producer crafts small-batch handcrafted gins using a custom naked-flame copper pot. A short drive inland, Powderkeg Beer in Woodbury Salterton offers a variety of pale ale, pilsner, lager, IPA, and low-alcohol beer available in cask, keg, and cans. Its Speak Easy pale ale stands at 4.3 per cent ABV, characterized by malt character and fruitiness. The independent brewery also produces gluten-free and vegan beers for drinkers with dietary requirements.
Sidmouth Gin began operations in 2017 within a small family-run distillery where batches are made using Verity, a 100-litre pot still. Its best-known bottle is Seashore Gin, a 40 per cent spirit flavoured with sugar kelp harvested from Sidmouth beach. The seaweed provides a subtle coastal note and has helped the drink earn a Taste of the West silver award. Other botanical flavours used by the business include honey, orange, lavender and rhubarb, giving each gin its own character.
At Harpford, Four Elms Fruit Farm grows 14 apple varieties between Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary. The farm turns its own fruit into award-winning apple juice and cider, making the phrase orchard to glass feel entirely fitting. Apples are grown, selected and pressed close to home, with no need for elaborate flavourings when the fruit itself does the work. Branscombe Brewery has long been known for its real ales but also makes artisan cider and small-batch gin. Its Golden Gin is bright and citrus-led, packed with orange, lemon, lime and herbs. Silver Gin follows a London Dry style, with an unexpected twist of white rose and coconut.
Near Axminster, Lyme Bay Winery at Shute has built a range that stretches far beyond its name. Wine, fruit wine, mead, cider, liqueurs and spirits are all part of the offer, making it one of the most versatile drink producers in the area. It is a useful stop for anyone assembling a locally made hamper or looking for something other than the expected bottle of wine. Fruit wines and mead make particularly good talking points at a summer barbecue.
Axminster Craft Cider, made at Uphay Farm, offers a more stripped-back expression of the West Country apple. It uses traditional cider varieties and fresh-pressed juice, fermented with naturally occurring yeasts. No sulphites are added, leaving a bottled cider that is all about the fruit. At Luppitt, near Honiton, Otter Brewery remains one of the best-known names in Devon beer. Its range includes Otter Bitter, Otter Ale, Otter Head and Otter Black, while Otter Bright began life as a seasonal summer beer before becoming a year-round favourite.
Coldharbour Farm Shop at East Hill also offers a local-drinks route through gin, vodka and cider. Its Flaming Barrel Gin pays tribute to Ottery St Mary’s famous November tradition, with kaffir lime leaves, pink peppercorns and liquorice in the blend.
Production & Profile
Technical specifications highlight the region’s commitment to traditional methods alongside modern innovation. Copper Frog Distilling utilizes a custom naked-flame copper pot for small-batch handcrafted gins. Sidmouth Gin employs Verity, a 100-litre pot still, while Axminster Craft Cider relies on naturally occurring yeasts and avoids adding sulphites. Otter Brewery offers specific ABV data, such as the Speak Easy pale ale at 4.3 per cent.
Brand & Industry History
The region’s distilling history includes Copper Frog Distilling, which describes itself as Exmouth’s first and only distillery. Sidmouth Gin began in 2017 in a small family-run distillery where batches are made using Verity, a 100-litre pot still. Otter Brewery remains one of the best-known names in Devon beer, with its range including Otter Bitter, Otter Ale, Otter Head and Otter Black.
What This Means
For visitors, this collection represents a chance to take a taste of the area home. For residents, it serves as a reminder that some of the county’s most distinctive drinks are made just a few miles from the coast, the orchards and the market towns where they are sold. Local producers are turning local fruit, herbs, coastal botanicals and traditional brewing know-how into beers, ciders, wines, liqueurs and spirits with a real sense of place.
Consumer Takeaway
This selection offers access to locally made beverages defined by their specific origins and ingredients. Drinkers can choose between a proper pint from Branscombe Brewery, a local cider from Four Elms Fruit Farm, or a gin and tonic without straying far from the village. Options include traditional cider varieties, fresh-pressed juice, coastal botanicals like sugar kelp, and fruit wines suitable for summer barbecues.
Source: Read the original article
