St Ives: The art of the town and the art of brewing
St Ives is more than just a quaint Cornish, seaside village, it’s a place where art and creativity have thrived together for over a century. Once a hive of activity and a bustling fishing village, St Ives transformed in the late 19th century when artists began to arrive, drawn by the famous light created by the wild Atlantic ocean and the inspiring coastline of rugged West Cornwall.
In the early days, renowned painters like J.M.W. Turner captured its wild seascapes, and by the 1920s and 30s, artists such as Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood brought fresh, modern ideas to this quiet corner of Cornwall. During the Second World War, St Ives became a safe haven for creatives escaping the cities. The most well known of these folk was Barbara Hepworth, whose studio and sculpture garden remain a landmark to this day. These days it provides an excellent place to visit and soak in her works and enjoy the passing of time.
This collective of painters, potters and sculptors would go on to be known as the St Ives School, and they turned the town into a symbol of bold, modern British art. Tate St Ives, perched above Porthmeor Beach, celebrates this legacy and keeps the town’s artistic spirit alive today. The gallery was a welcome addition to the seafront at Porthmeor back in 1993. The gallery is stunning, with incredible exhibitions, coupled with extraordinary views across the white sands of Porthmeor and out to the Atlantic.
Here at St Ives Brewery, we like to think we’re continuing that story in our own way. Brewing, like painting or sculpture, is an art form rooted in passion, experimentation and respect for tradition. We carefully choose the finest hops, malts and ingredients and craft each beer with the same creativity and care that artists have poured into their canvases and clay for generations.
Our beers are created under the notion of 'the art of brewing', a way we can ensure each beer is unique and tells its own story. From the crisp craft lagers like Porth Pilsner and Helles Mouth to the dark and broody craft stout Zennor, each beer is of its place.
We still find our home as inspiring as it always has been, be that the art of the towns creative inhabitants or simply the breath taking scenery around us.
Raise your glass to creativity and art.
