Devon brewery Utopian Brewing has become the brewery partner in the relaunch of Hatherleigh’s Tally Ho!, a new Country Inn & Brewery that launched last week.

The opening is described as a significant renovation which will breathe new life into the historic pub beloved by locals and visitors since the 15th Century.

Key to the renovation is a brand new cellar, with up to 12 keg and four cask lines available on the bar. Utopian Brewing’s Independent Craft Lager will feature prominently, with both their flagship Premium Lager and a Tally Ho Bo Ho Bohemian Lager on permanent keg lines, along with Wondrous Isles Modern Pale Ale and British Pale Ale on cask, joined by a rotating lineup of specials.

Plans have also been revealed to bring Tally Ho’s in-house microbrewery back into active service. The building at the rear of the pub served as Hatherleigh’s town bakery until 1990, when it was turned into a brewery, brewing a wide range of cask and bottled beers for Tally and the local market as the Tally Ho Brewery. until 2007.

Under the guidance of Utopian’s Head Brewer Jeremy Swainson the brewery is set to be reactivated, brewing small batch brews and operating tasting days and other brewery experiences for keen beer fans.

Richard Archer, Utopian Brewing Managing Director felt like a pub was an inevitable move for Utopian, and relishes the opportunity to be involved in the Tally Ho!: “Supplying local pubs has been at the heart of the Utopian story all along.

“The local support we received through the pandemic played a big part in our survival and growth, so it has been extra special for us to be able to put something back and to invest into the relaunch of the Tally Ho! alongside Ben and Tom. We are all delighted to be able to retain the pub’s historic character while introducing a contemporary feel with the renovation, as well as introducing some of our favourite local and independent breweries and wine and spirit producers.

The brewhouse is a significant part of the Tally Ho! history and we’re excited about the prospect of bringing it back into operation very soon, and brewing some small batch and special editions both fro the Tally Ho! and the wider market. The new kitchen menu will bring a range of British classics alongside some internationally-inspired dishes all using only the finest local, ethically sourced produce.

We’re especially proud to be doing this in Hatherleigh, which took a knock when the main agricultural market closed a few years back, but the community is looking forward to the opening of the upcoming Pannier Market, and we hope that the rejuvenated Tally Ho! serving great local produce and bringing brewing back to the town will provide a revitalised and vibrant community hub and attract visitors back to the area.”

In addition to the renovation and relaunch of the brew house, Tally Ho! Will feature a brand new food offering, with pizzas served from a wood-fired oven in the beer garden, soon followed by a brand new menu of British Bistro classics from the kitchen, using locally sourced seasonal produce, as well as locally, responsibly caught fish and seafood. Please note, separate kitchen-specific press release and invites to follow.

The relaunch of Tally Ho! Is a 50:50 venture between Utopian Brewing and Ben Bailey and Tom Cosgrove-Chubb, who acquired the freehold for Tally Ho! after living in Hatherleigh and operating several successful businesses together in sectors including sustainable energy and events – where the first crossed paths with Utopian Brewing. Ben, Tom and Rich are all hopeful that this joint venture will be the first of many.

Tally Ho! will be open 7 days a week from this Thursday, 11th July at 5pm.