Plant-based drinking is no fad in British beer. It is a practical shift that speaks to taste, ethics, and sustainability. In Gloucestershire, Stroud Brewery has been quietly proving that vegan beer can be full of character, at home or in pubs.
This independent brewery keeps things simple. It brews with natural ingredients and avoids animal products like isinglass. The result is clear, flavourful beer that suits vegans and non-vegans alike. If you want beer that respects the environment and still tastes brilliant, Stroud shows how it is done.
Stroud Brewery has recently changed its cask ale to vegan too, pubs and hotels can order from the trade site.
You don’t have to crush cans, before recycling. But do pop the ring-pull back over the can before popping in the recycling bin. This helps to avoid wildlife getting caught inside. Set up a can recycling program to raise money for your community!
The Roots of Stroud Brewery
Stroud Brewery began life in the late 2000s in Stroud, Gloucestershire, started by local beer lovers who wanted organic, flavour-first ales with a real sense of place. From day one, the team built around community. The brewery hosts events, supports local causes, and keeps close ties with nearby farms and suppliers. The approach is small-batch, careful, and consistent, with quality checks at every step.
Sustainability is not a badge, it is the operating manual. The brewery sources organic malt and hops where possible, reduces waste across the site, and uses packaging that can be reused or recycled. Energy use is monitored to cut emissions. Delivery routes are planned to keep the footprint small. The beer is better for it, and so is the local area.
Vegan-friendly brewing sits at the heart of this ethos. By the early 2010s, Stroud had aligned its range to be vegan friendly across cask and bottle. Instead of isinglass, which is made from fish swim bladders, the brewery relies on modern, plant-based clarification and time in tank. Gravity, cold conditioning, and natural settling play their part, and the beer stays bright and stable without animal products.
That stance helped Stroud win a loyal following across Gloucestershire and beyond. Local pubs pour the cask beers on rotation. Bottled and canned releases find shelf space with independent shops and farm stores. The brewery has picked up praise for both taste and ethics, which is a rare balance in any market.
Why Choose Vegan Beers from Stroud
- Ethical production: No animal-derived finings. Clear pints, clean conscience.
- Broad appeal: Friends can share the same round, whether they are vegan or not.
- Quality in the glass: Bright, stable beer without isinglass. Modern methods keep flavour intact.
- Simple ingredients: Water, malt, hops, and yeast, with plant-based finings where needed.
- Lower impact: Organic sourcing and careful logistics reduce the environmental load.
Many drinkers also prefer beer made without animal additives on health grounds. Fewer inputs means fewer unknowns. The taste is not compromised. In fact, keeping the recipe simple puts the focus back on malt depth, hop aroma, and the house yeast profile.
Vegan Cask Ales and Bottled Beers
Stroud’s line-up balances pub-friendly cask ales with bottled beers for the fridge. Expect classic British styles with a fresh lift, plus some modern twists. Organic ingredients, session-friendly strength, and food-friendly flavours define the core.
Cask beers shine in the pub, where hand-pull service gives a soft mouthfeel and gentle carbonation. Bottled beers bring crispness and convenience at home. Both are brewed to be vegan friendly, which makes picking your pour easy.
Cask Ales Perfect for Pub Lovers
- Budding: A bright pale ale with floral aroma and light citrus. The malt stays crisp, the finish is clean, and the hop bite is refreshing rather than sharp. Ideal for a first pint and still interesting by the third. Pairs well with salty snacks, grilled chicken, or a light veggie pie.
- Tom Long: Amber in colour with biscuit malt, soft caramel, and a lift of orange peel and subtle spice. It is balanced, smooth, and very drinkable. Try it with cheddar, sausages, or roasted root veg. The gentle bitterness keeps each sip tidy.
- Organic Best: A classic best bitter profile with earthy hops, toffee-edged malt, and a rounded finish. It is steady and satisfying, a proper pub pint that rewards a slow session. Serve with a ploughman’s, pies, or mushroom dishes.
Cask at its best tastes alive. Stroud’s cask beers are conditioned in the pub cellar, then served at a cool cellar temperature for freshness. You will find them on handpulls across Gloucestershire and in select bars in the South West. Look out for pump clips for Budding and Tom Long, which often feature on rotating guest lines.
Canned/Bottled Beers for Home Enjoyment
- Organic Lager: Pale, crisp, and clean, with a gentle herbal hop note and a dry finish. It is refreshing without being thin. Keep a few cold for easy pairing with fish-free chips, falafel wraps, or pizza.
- Big Cat Stout: Dark chocolate, roasted barley, and a hint of coffee on the nose. The body is smooth, the bitterness firm but friendly. Great with rich stews, grilled mushrooms, or dark chocolate desserts.
- Budding Pale (bottle): The bottled take on the pale ale keeps its bright hop aroma and snappy finish. It copes well with spicy food, veggie burgers, and anything with herbs.
- Seasonal and specials: Expect occasional limited releases that keep to the vegan brief. These might bring bolder hops or different malts, always with that clear Stroud signature.
Bottled beers hold well when stored upright in a cool, dark place. Aim to drink hop-forward styles within a few months to keep the aroma fresh. Stouts and malt-led beers can sit a little longer. All core bottles are brewed to be vegan friendly, which keeps shopping simple.
Where to Buy Stroud Brewery Beers
Buying Stroud beers is straightforward. You have several options.
- Local stockists: Independent bottle shops, farm shops, and delis in Stroud and across Gloucestershire often carry the core line-up. Ask for Budding, Tom Long, and Organic Lager if you want a safe starting trio.
- Pubs and bars: Use pub finders and local social pages to spot cask lines. Gloucestershire freehouses and tap-led venues regularly rotate Stroud beers on handpull and keg.
- At the brewery: Check opening times for the taproom, tours, and events. Brewery visits add context to the pint and are a good way to try limited releases.
Serving tips at home are simple. For cask-style takeaway or mini-casks, let the beer settle upright, vent gently if required, and serve at cool cellar temperature. For bottles, chill pale styles, keep dark beers a touch warmer, and pour carefully to leave any natural sediment in the bottle. A clean glass makes more difference than most people think.
Support local craft by sharing finds with friends, tipping your pub for quality cellar work, and buying seasonals when they appear. Good beer stays on the bar when people ask for it.
