Bays’ latest charity beer collaboration with Paignton Zoo has delivered a powerful punch for conservation, taking our brewery’s total donation to £30,000 in support of endangered wildlife.
Our Paignton-based brewery has reached the major milestone following a long-standing partnership with the zoo that spans back to 2013 when we launched the first of a long line-up of ‘animal’ ales.
Since then, a bevy of charity brews have followed — including ‘Funky Monkey’, ‘Savannah Ale’, ‘Orangutan Ale’, ‘Crocod-ale’, and ‘Trunk Ale’ — each brewed to raise vital funds for conservation.
Our most recent collaboration, ‘Claw’, raised a total of £1,500 and has helped fund the refurbishment of a new swimming pool for the zoo’s critically endangered Sumatran tigers.
Completed just in time for the summer season, the upgraded pool enhances animal welfare for the big cats while also enriching the visitor experience at one of the zoo’s most iconic enclosures.
But it wasn’t just sales that made the project possible. Members of our Paignton-based brewery team were invited to kick-start the pool clean-out alongside zoo staff earlier this year.
Four brave Bays members got their paws dirty digging out years of debris from within the tiger enclosure itself, paving the way for the splash-tastic new addition for its water-loving big cats.
Director of Bays Brewery, Peter Salmon, said: “Passing the £30,000 mark is a proud moment for our family-run brewery, and seeing part of that total go towards a brand-new pool for Paignton Zoo’s Sumatran tigers is the icing on the cake.
“From rolling up our sleeves inside the enclosure to brewing each pint of ‘Claw’, every step has been driven by a shared goal: giving one of the world’s rarest big cats the best possible future. A huge thank you to all our customers who raised a glass for a great cause.”
Paignton Zoo Business Development Manager, Steph Dawson, said: “This project shows what can be achieved when local businesses come together with a shared vision.
“Reaching £30,000 in total fundraising through our ongoing partnership with Bays Brewery is a testament to the power of long-term collaboration and shared commitment to wildlife conservation.”