10 of the best craft breweries in Bristol

The Bristol Craft Beer Festival hits the city on 10th-11th June and will showcase the very best of Bristol’s brewing scene. Based on the harbourside celebrating all things craft beer, there will be loads of brewers pouring some of the best beer in the city.

Speaking of the best beer in the city, though, we thought it made the perfect opportunity to round up some of the incredible crafters we have in the breweries across Bristol. So, let’s take a look at some of the very best…

Fierce and Noble

Based in the heart of trendy St Werburghs, Fierce and Noble certainly seems right at home with their boldly painted taproom and modern approach to brewing. The craft brewery and taproom aim to push the boundaries of modern craft beer, both in taste and technique. They specialise in modern and seasonal beers, with styles ranging across the entire spectrum of beer, and focus on using high-quality ingredients and craft brewing techniques to create consistently great products. You can book onto a tour of their taproom to understand more about the brewery, or just pop on down to enjoy a good atmosphere and a good drink.

Arbor Ales

Arbor Ales has been on the Bristol craft beer scene since 2007, and has made a name for itself for producing some of the best beer in the city. From their site in Easton, the team ​​currently brews and packages in excess of one and a half million pints a year. They pride themselves on trying new ideas and changing things up in the world of brewing which means they boast a huge catalogue of styles and tastes - there really is something for everyone. Their pint cans are also available to order nationwide now as well, so they are putting Bristol brewing on the map.

Dawkins Ales

Another Easton-based craft brewery, Dawkins Ales has been going for a long time, under various different guises. Now, still trading as Dawkins Ales, the company is known as Dawkins and Georges Ltd, and produces some pretty banging beers, including some that are award-winning.

Wiper and True

Wiper and True and their St Werburghs taproom and brewery have come a long way since playing around in a small kitchen experimenting with brewing. Now one of Bristol’s most well-known and well-loved craft breweries, the establishment is heaving every weekend. They’ve recently acquired a brand new headquarters in Old Market, too, so everything is on the up with this brewery. They are not afraid to experiment, so you can expect all sorts of different concoctions.

Lost and Grounded

Lost and Grounded was established in 2016, so is one of the newer breweries to hit Bristol in the last few years. When they first started, they made kellerbier their focus, which isn’t usual within the industry. It was an instant success and they are widely known for their brilliant unfiltered pilsner. The brewery and taproom is a short walk from Temple Meads and has ample seating inside, so it’s a winner in all weathers. The founder is a chemical engineer by training, and has a fascination for the precision of Belgian brewing. Because of this, the brewery is full to the brim with state-of-the-art equipment and is something to be marveled at.

Bristol Beer Factory

One of the most well-known craft beer producers in the city, Southville-based Bristol Beer Factory on North Street is one of the best when it comes to beer-y goodness. Creating beer since 2004, they’ve pioneered a lot of the craft brewing scene in the city and even the site in which they sit has a brewing history that dates back to the 1800’s. You’ll find a visitor centre there where you can take a tour and meet the brewers and a roomy taproom too where you can sample one of their seven core beers or extra small-batch specials.

Moor Brewery

Established in 2007, Moor Brewery pioneered the naturally hazy, unfined beer movement in 2007, firmly believing that adding isinglass finings (fish guts) to beer was unnecessary and harmful. Natural carbonation with live yeast is at the heart of everything they brew. It’s what makes their beers vegan friendly and what gives them such an enhanced flavour, aroma and mouthfeel that simply can’t be replicated.

Left Handed Giant

Left Handed Giant became even more well known when they opened their beautiful taproom and brewing centre on Finzels Reach, with an extraordinary outdoor terrace and an incredible view over the water. Their original taproom is still available to visit on the St Philips Trading Estate, and their beer is well worth trying. The physical brewery operation began in 2017 after the founder had sold some beer to Small Bar, before they raised more than £1m from the local community via Crowdcube to build the brewpub overlooking the floating harbour in the centre of Bristol, which opened in 2019. They now produce around 4000 hL of beer annually and are community-owned. They aim to execute an employee buy-out within the next three years, making them one of the only UK employee-owned breweries.

Good Chemistry

Good Chemistry Brewing was started by Bob and Kelly in 2015, finding a home for the 10-barrel kit in St Philips in East Bristol. All of their beers are unfined and unfiltered, so naturally hazy and suitable for vegans. It’s important to Good Chemistry to be open, accessible and inclusive, and ensure thoughtfulness and quality in everything they do.  Their brewery tap in Bristol is open Fridays and Saturdays between April and September so if you can join them to try the beer at the source, they would love to see you. They also opened their first pub, The Good Measure in Redland, just before Christmas 2018 where you’re able to try their best, newest, freshest and one-off beers.

Tapestry by PROPS

Tapestry was recently bought by PROPS and is set to become Bristol’s first disability-led brewery. Tapestry was built on a belief that the unsung heroes behind things are what make them special and PROPS support adults with learning disabilities to gain work skills and put them into practice through meaningful work opportunities in wide range of projects and enterprises. The PROPS team will be heading up the popular Taproom in Totterdown, brewing their own unique craft beers, forging partnerships with fellow Bristol breweries and ultimately establishing a profitable enterprise that can provide real, meaningful work opportunities for PROPS Trainees in the future.