Bays’ latest charity beer collaboration with Paignton Zoo has delivered a powerful punch for conservation, taking the brewery’s total donation to £30,000 in support of endangered wildlife.
The Paignton-based brewery has reached the major milestone following a long-standing partnership with the zoo that spans back to 2013 when it launched the first of a long line-up of ‘animal’ ales. Since then, a bevy of charity brews have followed — including ‘Funky Monkey’, ‘Savannah Ale’, ‘Orangutan Ale’, ‘Crocod-ale’, and ‘Trunk Ale’ — each brewed to raise vital funds for conservation.
Its most recent collaboration, ‘Claw’, raised a total of £1,500 and has helped fund the refurbishment of a new swimming pool for the zoo’s critically endangered Sumatran tigers. Completed just in time for the summer season, the upgraded pool enhances animal welfare for the big cats while also enriching the visitor experience at one of the zoo’s most iconic enclosures.
But it wasn’t just sales that made the project possible. Members of the Paignton-based brewery team were invited to kick-start the pool clean-out alongside zoo staff earlier this year. Four brave Bays members got their paws dirty digging out years of debris from within the tiger enclosure itself, paving the way for the splashtastic new addition for its water-loving big cats.
Director of Bays Brewery, Peter Salmon, said: “Passing the £30,000 mark is a proud moment for our family-run brewery, and seeing part of that total go towards a brand-new pool for Paignton Zoo’s Sumatran tigers is the icing on the cake.
“From rolling up our sleeves inside the enclosure to brewing each pint of ‘Claw’, every step has been driven by a shared goal: giving one of the world’s rarest big cats the best possible future. A huge thank you to all our customers who raised a glass for a great cause.”
Paignton Zoo Business Development Manager, Steph Dawson, said: “This project shows what can be achieved when local businesses come together with a shared vision. Reaching £30,000 in total fundraising through our ongoing partnership with Bays Brewery is a testament to the power of long-term collaboration and shared commitment to wildlife conservation.”
In addition to the £30,000 raised for animal conservation, the family-run brewery is also giving back to the Devon community it calls ‘home’ with three further limited-edition ‘Charity Brews’ for 2025. Available on its online shop and in pubs across Devon, each beer supports a local charity close to the brewery’s heart, with 5% of every pint and bottle sold going directly to worthy causes.
Kicking off its 2025 ‘Charity Brew’ line-up was ‘Evergreen’, a smooth session IPA inspired by the region’s rich natural habitat, supporting Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (TCCT). Available this Summer, ‘Ahoy’ is a gorgeous golden ale supporting the courageous crew who keep Devon’s coastlines safe, with proceeds going to Torbay Lifeboats (RNLI).
Completing the charity line-up in November will be the return of Bays’ popular ‘Jingle Ale’, a ho-ho hoppy bitter that will once again support Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
To find out more about Bays Brewery, please visit www.baysbrewery.co.uk.
