Otter Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | David McCaig, Mary Ann McCaig |
| Headquarters | Luppitt, near Honiton , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | Devon, England |
Key people | David McCaig, Mary Ann McCaig |
| Products | Beer, Lager, Cider, Gin |
Otter Brewery is a brewery based in Luppitt, close to Honiton in Devon. Its name is inspired by the nearby River Otter. Established in 1990 by David and Mary Ann McCaig, the enterprise remains family-run,[1][2] and also manages the Holt pub situated in Honiton.[3] Sustainability is a core focus for the brewery, demonstrated through innovations like an underground cellar designed to minimize refrigeration requirements[4] and the use of reed bed systems for treating wastewater.[5]
Awards
The brewery has been recognized with several honors, including being named "Brewery of the Year" by The Good Pub Guide in 2013,[6][7] as well as receiving the "Most Sustainable Brewery" award at the 2011 Society of Independent Brewers ceremony.[5]
Products
Otter Brewery offers a range of five core beers and two lagers, along with a selection of seasonal and speciality brews.
Regular beers
- Otter Bitter (3.6% ABV) – Green label
- Otter Ale (4.5% ABV) – Red label
- Otter Amber (4.3% ABV) – Orange badge (available only in cask)
- Otter Bright (4.0% ABV) – Creme label
- Otter Head (5.8% ABV) – Blue label
Lager
- Tarka (4.8% ABV)
- Four (4.0% ABV)
Cider
- Wildsider (4.6% ABV) – Black badge (cask only)
Gin
- New Moon (42% ABV) – Blue bottle (bottle only)
Speciality and seasonal beers
Among its seasonal offerings, Otter produces a flagship winter ale marketed under various festive names such as Otter Witch for Halloween, Otter Claus at Christmas, MacOtter during Burns Night, and Otter Cupid for Valentine’s Day. The brewery prioritizes excellence over volume in its limited editions. Additionally, it brews Beautiful Daze, a session ale exclusively available at the Beautiful Days music festival near Escot, where it also operates on-site beer outlets. Another speciality is the Flaming Ale crafted for the Tar Barrels celebration held in Ottery St Mary.
Pubs
In 2025, Otter Brewery broadened its portfolio by launching its inaugural pub, The Holt, positioned in Cathedral Close, Exeter.
References
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedDLive - ↑ Tierney-Jones, Adrian (26 September 2008). "Devon Pub Guide: The Holt, Honiton". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedSUS - ↑ "Otter Named "Brewery of the Year"". The British Guild of Beer Writers. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ↑ "Otter named Brewery of the Year". Midweek Herald. 6 September 2012.