Breweries & Vineyards in the New Forest
In recent years, there’s been an increase in the popularity of microbreweries and the New Forest is no exception to this. After a busy day exploring all that the New Forest has to offer, whether on foot, bike or even horse then you will no doubt want to refresh.
If you love all things beer and ale related then why not check out some of our fantastic microbreweries for yourself and sample some of our craft ales and locally brewed beers. Or come along and sample some of the locally produced wines from vines growing in the area.
New Forest breweries
The famous Ringwood Brewery produces popular ales, which you can find at the majority of pubs across the New Forest, including ‘Forty Niner’, ‘Boon Doogle’ and the popular ‘Razor Back’. Visitors can book onto a 90 minute guided tour around the brewery, where you will be able to see how it is all made, before enjoying the tasting session at the end of your tour in the Pin Bar. Visit the on-site Brewery Store where you can buy bottles to take home and purchase some great merchandise as a souvenir of your visit. You can also go into the Brewery Store without booking onto one of the brewery tours. Tours are available all year round (subject to availability) and can also be arranged for groups of ten or more by advanced booking. Children under the age of eight are not permitted.
Vibrant Forest is a small microbrewery that can be found in Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest National Park. Every beer brewed here is vegan-friendly. Beers are available to sample and buy from the brewery and you may even get the opportunity to meet the brewer. Look out for core beers such as Summerlands and Black Forest as well as seasonal ales, beers and porters. Brewery tours are also available when pre-booked.
Also in Lymington is Dancing Cows Distillery and Brewhouse which makes small batches of artisan brews and spirits. It holds the New Forest Marque for its commitment to sustainability. Both beers and spirits are available to buy from the shop for consummation off the premises. Distillery and Brewhouse tours run most Wednesdays and Fridays from 6.30pm-8pm.
On the outskirts of The New Forest, Downton Brewery is the home of real ales including Quadhop, New Forest Ale, Dark Delight and Honey Blonde as well as several seasonal brews. Members of the public are encouraged to drop in to this multi award-winning brewery between 8am-4.30pm Monday-Friday. Also in Downton, the Hopback Brewery have been operating since 1987. Popular ales include the award-winning Summer Lightening and Taiphoon.
The Red Shoot Inn and Brewery is nestled in the heart of our National Park at Linwood, near Ringwood. Three main ales are brewed on site: New Forest Gold, Tom Tipple and Muddy Boot. Samples of these ales are available in the bar. These sit alongside Wadworth beers including 6X.Plus there’s also onsite camping here so you can enjoy a drink and not have to worry about driving afterwards.
Tucked in the countryside near Brockenhurst, a recent addition to the brewery scene is Baynhams’ Brewery with its debut beer, Pigbeer, brewed on the family’s smallholding.
Cider, wine and other alcoholic beverages
Cider lovers should head to Burley to make a visit to New Forest Cider. The ciders here are made in the traditional way using English apples from the site’s own orchards and from fruit from Somerset and Herefordshire. You can try the unpasteurised, real cider straight from the barrels and look out for the annual steam pressing weekend where you can see the cider made in the traditional ways.
On the outskirts of Brockenhurst, Setley Ridge offers a vineyard, farm shop and garden centre. Red, white and rosé wines are produced from the grapes here and visitors can sample the produce in the farm shop or on a vineyard tour.
Award-winning Marlings vineyard is located near to Sway. Although not open to the general public, the wines can be purchased from local wine shops Priory Wines (Lymington) and New Forest Wines (Ringwood) as well as at Careys Manor Hotel.
In Bramshaw, Brook Hill Vineyard produces still and sparkling wine varieties.
Save money on your day out or short break by buying a Go New Forest Card. This card offers discounts off places to visit, things to do, accommodation, eating out and even bike hire in the New Forest, helping you to save pounds off your visit.
