Verdant Brewery, Penryn first look around new drinks and food in Cornwall

It's only been open a few weeks, but Verdant Brewery's new Taproom is already proving itself as the place to be.

And as head brewer James Heffron tells us "It's not just for trendy hipsters" - but for the whole community.

Verdant Brewery was the brainchild of James, who became obsessed with the idea of brewing his own beer after seeing it being done whilst travelling in New Zealand.

Verdant founders Adam Robertson, James Heffron and Richard White in the Taproom

He got together with Adam Robertson around their kitchen table and the idea of Verdant was born as they were home brewers who loved hop-forward beers. They weren’t easy to find locally so in 2014 they started Verdant to make their own. Richard White joined in 2016.

Since then they have opened spaces around the country, starting with The Experiment in Hackney Central (London) with Pressure Drop Brewing, its very own Seafood Bar in Falmouth, The Sink Inn over in Newquay and the Tap Room BS2 in Bristol alongside Newtown Park Brewing Co.

Now firmly ensconced in their brand new state of the art brewery on the Kernick Industrial Estate, Penryn, Packet reporter Paul Armstrong went along to find out what it was all about, and while he didn't have time for a pizza, he can definitely vouch for the beers!

Verdant beer on tap. Pic credit Verdant/Robert Herron

James describes the venue as a big open plan taproom with 16 keg beers and four cask ales as well as a gig venue and the whole concept behind it was really to open up Verdant to the community.

"It kind of feels like we have done this, built this big brewery, spent lots of money and not really shown anyone it," he said. "We've done it in secret almost, Covid hasn't helped at all, so now is the time. We've invested the money built the taproom and we've opened the doors. So we're welcoming in the community that's the main thing. And it really does need to be a community space.

Cooking the pizzas!

"It's not just a place for trendy hipsters at all. It's a space for Penryn for Falmouth for Tremough campus, it should be used for many things.

"So come and have a beer, come and have a pizza or a dance. If you want to hold your social meetings here club, whatever or your end of term show, it is also that sort of place as well.

"And we think we have done quite a good job on it."

You can watch the full video interview with James below.

The brewery says it is all ears for any proposals for the taproom and people should send any ideas or requests over to: thetaproom@verdantbrewing.co and Alex or Sinead will be in touch to discuss.

The space at Unit 30, Parkengue, Kernick Industrial Estate, Penryn is open for pizza & drinks (both hot and cold), cans to take away alongside fun and games during the following hours.

Thursday - Saturday: 11am - 11pm

Sunday: 12pm- 10:30pm

Come Easter year they will extend those hours to seven days a week.