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Top Breweries, Vineyards & Distilleries on The Suffolk Coast

Think of the Suffolk Coast and you’ll picture big skies, fantastic countryside, family holidays and so much more. But did you know? The county is home to some of the UK's top food and drink producers, especially those of the alcoholic kind!

With everything from pale ales, lagers and craft beers to sparkling wines, whiskeys and gin; Check out our pick of The Suffolk Coast's must-visit breweries, vineyards and distilleries!

Adnams Brewery & Distillery, Southwold

TTDA - Adnams Brewery

Adnams, is nestled right in the centre of Southwold, a quintessentially English seaside town and can date the brewing of beer on that site to over 670 years ago. This family business started brewing in 1872 and has aficionado's of its beers right across the UK. Behind the unassuming walls of a stunning Victorian building on East Green lies one of the most modern breweries in the UK. In 2010, Adnams added a micro-distillery too, with Ghost Ship gin being one of the most popular tipples.

A bucket-list item when visiting The Suffolk Coast, join a guided tour of the Adnams brewery and discover the beer making process from start to finish. You’ll explore the choice of ingredients and how Adnams make their beer using super-modern, self-cleaning brew stream, through to tasting the final delicious product.

The Copper House Distillery also sits within the brewery and uses many of the same local ingredients. From the top of the building, you can see some of the best views in Southwold, looking across the rooftops to the Lighthouse and North Sea and beyond. Discover how Adnams create their range of award-winning spirits from the start of the process in our super-efficient brewery through to distilling and, of course, sampling the finished product.

Plan a visit and book a tour at https://adnams.co.uk/collections/tours-experiences

The Briarbank, Ipswich

TTDA - Briarbank Brewery - Brewery

The Briarbank is a microbrewery in Ipswich, located just behind Isaacs on the Quay. Opened in May 2013, you can enjoy a tour of the brewery and afterwards, pay a visit to the upstairs bar, where you can enjoy a drink of one of their homemade ales (there's a selection of other drinks available too!).

They run two beer festivals a year, one over the Easter bank holiday and one over the August bank holiday and in October they run a homebrew competition; the winner of which then gets to make their beer in the brewery and have it served behind the bar.

Plan a visit at https://briarbank.org/

St Peter's Brewery, Bungay

FD - St Peters Brewery

St. Peter’s Brewery is based at St. Peter South Elmham, near Bungay in Suffolk, located within former agricultural buildings next to St Peter's Hall. Water used in the brewery is sourced from a deep-bore hole on the property along with locally malted barley, together with Kentish hops, to produce a range of classical English cask-conditioned ales including traditional bitters and milds and some more unusual beers such as honey porter and fruit beer.

Tours of the brewery take place on Saturdays and Sundays between April and end of December; discover the story of St. Peter’s Brewery, the process of brewing and enjoyed a tutored beer tasting following the tour!

Plan a visit and book a tour at https://www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk/

Flint Vineyard, Bungay

FD - Flint Vineyard - Tasting

Named as one of the top 10 vineyards to visit in the UK. by Countryfile Magazine, Flint Vineyard is one of England's most exciting new wineries. Winemaker, Ben Witchell, combines cutting-edge technology with traditional winemaking techniques to produce elegant and refined English wines.

You can enjoy a guided tour of the vineyards and state-of-the-art winery followed a guided and personal tasting of a premium selection of the Vineyard's wines. They will help unravel some of the mysteries of the wine making process in a friendly and relaxed way and do all they can to allow you to appreciate the wines, which include Bacchus, Silex Blanc, Charmat Rosé, Bacchus Fumé and Pinot Noir Précoce.

Plan a visit and book a tour at https://flintvineyard.com/

Fishers Gin, Aldeburgh

TTDA - Fishers Gin - Exterior from beach

Fishers is the closest Gin Distillery to the sea in the UK! Distilled overlooking Aldeburgh's iconic shingle beach, and handcrafted using only the finest selection of locally foraged wild herbs and coastal botanicals, Fishers Gin uniquely captures the distinctive character of the North Sea and the Suffolk salt marshes.

Some of the rare coastal plants used include Bog Myrtle, Rock Samphire, Wood Avens and Spignel, which are hand foraged or grown locally. The Distillery is open for pre-booked tours and tastings throughout the year. Here you will learn how Fishers Gin is made, have a go at making your own botanical tea, and sample their unique gin flavours first-hand, including the UK's first-ever London Dry Smoked Gin

There are several distillery tours and tastings to choose from, each varying in length, and some including wonderful food platters of curated dishes from local producers, paired with seasonal cocktails.

Plan your visit and book a tour at https://fishersgin.com/

If that's got you craving a taste of The Suffolk Coast, check out our other award-winning food & drink producers below!

Things to see and do

Adnams Tours and Experiences

Fancy doing something a little bit different? Take a tour of the Adnams Sole Bay Brewery and Copper House Distillery in the heart of Southwold where Adnams have been brewing since 1872. If Gin is your favourite tipple the 'Make your own Gin Southwold' experience is a must!

St Peter's Brewery

St Peter's Brewery is a craft brewery in the heart of Suffolk, brewing award winning beers since 1996.

East Suffolk Markets

The Suffolk Coast is blessed with a huge selection of local food and drink producers, selling jams, honey, Suffolk-cured ham, strawberries, asparagus, breads, cheeses and ales... you name it, we make it!

So wherever you are, whatever the day, you know where to go for a taste of The Suffolk Coast.

Flint Vineyard

Flint Vineyard is one of England's most exciting wineries. Winemaker, Ben Witchell, combines cutting-edge technology with traditional winemaking techniques to produce elegant and refined English wines.

Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival 2024

Snape

A celebration of Suffolk’s finest food and drink taking place on 28th and 29th September 2024, the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival will once again return to Snape Maltings, transforming the site into a lively weekend of food, fun and activities.

WHERE TO EAT

Fen Farm Dairy

Beautiful handcrafted raw dairy products, made on the farm from the milk of the herd of happy Montbeliarde cows.

Pump Street Chocolate Bakery and Cafe

Pump Street Bakery is a small, family owned bakery and cafe in the village of Orford on Suffolk's Heritage Coast.

Food Hub Cookery School

Framlingham

Whether you are an amateur cook or a food enthusiast let these courses inspire you!

The Briarbank Bar & Brewery

Set just moments from the elegant Ipswich Waterfront, The Briarbank Bar and Brewery is home to a microbrewery and first-floor bar. Providing a warm welcome to all, it's the perfect location to sample some local Suffolk beer, enjoy a relaxing drink and grab a bite to eat with friends and family.

Pinch

A cafe on a farm, serving coffee, crullers and other pastries.

Maple Farm Kelsale

Maple Farm Kelsale's aim is to grow organic produce for local people to enjoy. They believe organic produce is better for us and better for the environment and tastes better too. Selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, the majority of which is grown at Maple Farm and harvested only hours before it goes onto the shelves.