Skinner’s Brewery, producer of iconic Cornish beers including Betty Stogs, Porthleven and Lushington’s, has launched a summer campaign to encourage the public to head back to their local pub and support the recovery of hospitality businesses as they emerge from lockdown.
The fiercely independent brewery, which is known for its tongue-in-cheek approach and love of Cornish folklore, has picked up the baton from the long-standing Devon/Cornwall dispute over the correct way to enjoy a scone, announcing:
“We’re officially launching our #SkinnersFirst campaign this week. We all know that Jam First is an unshakable belief here in Cornwall. However, a new mantra is now taking hold as beer lovers are finally able to enjoy the inside of a pub again; Skinner’s First!”
Artist Stevie Gee, the creator of the Porthleven pale ale brand and designer for the likes of Adidas, Vans, Patagonia and Stella McCartney, has updated the original artwork to show a surfer riding a wave, balancing a scone (jam first, of course!) and a pint of Skinner’s beer.
Following an extremely tough year in the sector – which amounted to a perfect storm for Skinner’s and led to fears of closure – the Truro-based brewery underwent a successful Crowdfunding campaign back in March, hitting their survival target of £100,000 in just four days.
Brewery co-owner Steve Skinner said: “During that incredible Crowdfunder campaign, we were emphatically reminded what Skinner’s means to Cornwall. We’re a brewery with heart and soul – people wanted to hold on to that!”
Steve, who owns the company alongside his wife Elaine, continued: “The Skinner’s First campaign is our call for everyone to support their wonderful neighbourhood pubs, and make their first pint from cask or keg a Skinner’s beer as we continue our recovery.”
Elaine added: “Successive lockdowns have reminded us all how important it is to support local communities and businesses. By asking your landlord or landlady for Skinner’s you’ll be doing just that – helping to keep the Cornish food and drink industry alive for the future.”
Sadly Skinner’s has had to put the reopening of its own brewery tap, The Old Ale House, on hold until June 21st.
Elaine explained: “You only get one shot at these things and we wanted to get it right. In the current climate a pub needs a food offering, and so we’re taking a bit longer to bring back our once-popular skillets and hands of bread – perfect for enjoying alongside pints of craft beer, real cider and our updated wine, spirits and cocktail lists.”
It is hoped that alongside The Old Ale House, Skinner’s all-new Tap Yard Bar & Café will also open in June.
Made possible by an additional £50,000 raised on top of the survival fund during the Crowdfunding campaign, this exciting new venture will turn the brewery itself into a food and drink destination and help breathe life back into the post-pandemic city.
To get involved with the campaign, the brewery is asking beer lovers to share their pints of Skinner’s back in the pub on social media using the hashtag #SkinnerFirst.
(Photo credit: Cameron Smith).
