Operations
Wadworths still use traditional shire horses to deliver their casked ale to local pubs in Devizes. The radius of the operation is roughly 5 miles square; beyond the 5 mile radius, motor vehicles are used. The ale can be delivered in metal or wooden barrels.
The brewery owns four horses which are stabled at the brewery and the horses receive 2 weeks' holiday every year in a nearby village. As well as delivering ale, the horses also compete in shows and events throughout the country. The sight of the shire horses is well known in Devizes and has become a defining image for the town. They are featured often in local press and have featured in many programmes such as Countryfile.
Wadworth is one of only four breweries in the UK that still use horses to deliver ale, one of four that has an in-house cooper and the last brewery whose in-house master cooper makes nothing but barrels.
Wadworth recently unveiled a state-of-the-art interactive Visitor Centre and gift shop at the brewery. Tours of the brewery can be taken and include a tutored tasting of the Wadworth range as well as cooperage demonstrations and visits to the shire horses and sign-writing shop (subject to availability).
Read more about this topic: Wadworth Brewery
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