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About us

May Hill Brewery was launched in 2011 from a converted dairy at Holly Bush Farm, off the A40, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

For Brewer, Tony Davis it was a life time ambition to set up a Microbrewery and make ‘good’ beer. He is passionate about real ale and the importance of using the best local ingredients. “The water we use is our own well water (hence WellBrew Ales) and comes from 200 feet below the farm. Sample testing has shown the water is far purer than tap water and doesn’t have the chemicals that yeast doesn’t like!”

The microbrewery has a 6 barrel capacity which means that brewing twice a week can produce 2000 litres. “This is our passion and I wouldn’t compromise quality for the sake of getting bigger”. Tony’s aim is to make real ales to be proud of that are distinctive with local character and served within the Forest and Gloucestershire.  Farm cattle and the orchards fruit trees benefit from the spent malt and hops

There are four main WellBrew Ales plus special seasonal and celebration brews. They take their names from the character and legends of May Hill and Holly Bush Farm.

  • Summit (4.9% ABV) – a full flavour, dark, malty ale. Summit reflects the dark, clear water pools at the top of May Hill.

  • Legless Cow (4.8% ABV) – a hand crafted copper ale with lots of character and a distinctive fruity hop finish. The name comes form seeing the cows ‘totter’ slightly after smelling the aroma’s from the Copper!

  • Legend (4.5% ABV) – a rich, clear, pale ale with a strong hop finish. We’re proud to say this was our first brew and won ‘Best Ale’ at a local beer festival.

  • Admiral May (3.8% ABV) – a flavoursome amber ale with a fruity late hop bitterness. Named after Admiral May who reputedly used the trees on May Hill to navigate ships up the Severn.

 All our ales are hand crafted and naturally conditioned in the cask or bottle. We even bottle and label by hand! It was important to us to see local real ale in local pubs and outlets throughout Gloucestershire, within the Forest, Cheltenham and Gloucester. Beer can also be bought direct from the farm in bottles, 10 litre beer box or polypins and 9 gallon firkins.

We appreciate that other people are passionate about brewing too and we can arrange brewery tastings, visits and brew days for anyone wanting to get involved!

For more details contact Tony or Liz on 01452 830222 or email hollybushfarm@btinternet.com