Bays Brewery celebrates £30,000 milestone
Bays Brewery has reached a remarkable milestone, raising £30,000 for animal conservation through its long-standing partnership with Paignton Zoo. The latest milestone follows years of collaboration between the Paignton-based brewery and the zoo, beginning in 2013 when the brewery launched its first "animal ale" to support wildlife conservation.
The brewery's charity beers, such as ‘Funky Monkey’, ‘Savannah Ale’, ‘Orangutan Ale’, ‘Crocod-ale’, and ‘Trunk Ale’, have been brewed to raise vital funds for endangered species and their habitats. The most recent beer, ‘Claw’, contributed £1,500, which helped fund a critical upgrade for the zoo's Sumatran tiger enclosure. The newly refurbished swimming pool now offers a better living space for these critically endangered big cats and enhances the zoo's visitor experience.
However, Bays Brewery’s contribution didn’t stop at beer sales. Four brave members of the brewery’s team rolled up their sleeves to help clean out the tiger pool earlier this year. Digging out years of accumulated debris, they laid the foundation for the new water feature, giving the tigers a space better suited to their aquatic nature.
Peter Salmon, Director of Bays Brewery, expressed pride in reaching this £30,000 milestone. “This is a proud moment for our family-run brewery, and seeing that money go toward something as tangible as a new pool for the Sumatran tigers is very special,” he said. “From brewing each pint of ‘Claw’ to getting our hands dirty inside the tiger enclosure, it’s all about giving one of the world’s rarest big cats a better future. A huge thank you to all our customers who’ve supported this cause.”
Steph Dawson, Business Development Manager at Paignton Zoo, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This project shows what can be achieved when local businesses come together with a shared vision. Reaching £30,000 is a testament to the long-term power of collaboration and commitment to wildlife conservation.”
In addition to its ongoing work with Paignton Zoo, Bays Brewery is giving back to the Devon community through three more ‘Charity Brews’ for 2025. The first, ‘Evergreen’, a session IPA, benefits the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (TCCT). The second, ‘Ahoy’, is a golden ale supporting Torbay Lifeboats (RNLI), while the final beer, ‘Jingle Ale’, is a hoppy bitter supporting Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
With 5% of every pint or bottle sold going directly to these causes, Bays Brewery continues to prove that great beer can go hand in hand with great purpose. The brewery’s charitable initiatives are a clear reflection of its commitment to both local communities and global conservation efforts. For more information on their charity projects or to shop their brews, visit www.baysbrewery.co.uk.
