Eddie Lofthouse didn’t set out to start a brewery - he just wanted better beer.
Back in 2012, while managing a hotel redevelopment in Cornwall, Eddie noticed something missing in the local beer scene: variety. The South West had a shortage of the exciting craft beers he and his friends wanted to drink. So, with the help of a friend who worked as a brewer, Eddie took matters into his own hands. What started as a side project quickly turned into a passion, and Harbour Brewing Co. was born.
“Originally, it was only supposed to last as long as the hotel redevelopment took,” Eddie recalls. “But I loved the brewing industry so much that I never went back.”
Harbour Brewing Co. is rooted in Cornwall, but interestingly, Eddie admits that Cornwall itself didn’t shape the brewery’s vision as much as the people did. “All the people we employed wanted to be based here for the lifestyle Cornwall allows. It’s more relaxed here; people prioritise different things. That shapes the way you work, the beers you make, and the brand you become.”
Of course, starting a brewery wasn’t without its challenges. “Having not done anything like it before, the challenges came at us thick and fast,” Eddie remembers… “From cash flow problems to figuring out how to get beer around the country, every day was a learning day. And it still is.”
Eddie’s love for craft beer stems from his time spent in California, where the beer scene was way ahead of the UK. “The UK market was wrapped up in tradition, but in the US, it was all about exploration and pushing boundaries. It was exciting to bring some of that mindset to the South West. We were young and had nothing to lose.”
That spirit of adventure is reflected in the beer styles that influence Harbour’s offerings. West Coast IPAs, with their bold flavours yet easy drinkability, play a huge role in shaping the character of Harbour beers. “Drinkability often gets lost in the quest to push boundaries,” Eddie explains. “We try to keep drinkability at the heart of what we do while still making our beers as flavoursome as possible.”
When it comes to creating a new beer, Eddie’s process is surprisingly thoughtful. “I always like to start with how we picture people drinking them - whether it’s chilling on a sun-soaked beach or by a fire after a blustery walk. That makes a huge difference in the kind of beer you want to create.”
As for inspiration, Eddie says it comes from everywhere: “From the last beer you drank to the holiday you keep dreaming about. You take bits from everything around you.” And when it comes to ingredients, Harbour prioritises quality above all else. “We use local ingredients when possible, but we’ve sourced from pretty much every corner of the globe.”
Out of the hundreds of beers Harbour has brewed, one of Eddie’s most memorable creations is a wild one: an Aji Limon Chilli Pale Ale barrel-aged in rum barrels. “It was crazy, but amazing.”
So, what’s Eddie’s current go-to beer? Without hesitation, he names Big Wednesday. “Full of flavour and super drinkable. Easy choice.”
As Harbour moves forward, Eddie’s vision remains simple: “We just want to keep making the beers we love drinking and get them out there so more people can enjoy them.”
And for anyone thinking about starting their own brewery? Eddie has some straightforward advice:
“If you’re doing it for the money, find another job!”
Eddie’s journey into brewing is proof that sometimes the best ideas come from simply wanting to drink a better beer.
