We aren’t just a business that happens to be based in Bristol, we embrace the story of Bristol in everything we do. Founded in Hambrook as Great Western Brewing Company, we then moved to Brislington in 2019 and rebranded to Hop Union Brewery.
The relocation and rebrand signalled a new chapter in our brewing story. Our new brew kit was state of the art, and our water supply came from an on-site borehole that fed directly from Bristol’s natural water table.
We later opened a successful taproom, perfected award-winning beer recipes, and built a presence in pubs, bars, and homes across the city and beyond.
Meet the Hop Union Range
As a brewery with the creativity of Bristol in its heart, our beers are bold, flavoursome and we're not afraid to experiment. Here are just a few of our favourites from the core range:
Bonville Pale – a soft-bodied, fruity pale ale brewed with a rainbow of hops including Olicana, Simcoe, Citra and Ekuanot.
Moose River – a juicy American pale ale with tropical fruit and a well-balanced bitterness.
Scallywag – a malt-driven, premium bitter with hints of chocolate and forest berries.
Bees Knees – a pale ale brewed with honey from North Bristol and English hops. Floral and delicately sweet.
Maiden Voyage – a seasonal best bitter, brewed with classic English malts and Fuggles hops. Balanced and easy to drink.
Two Steppin’ – a crisp, citrus craft lager with Tettnang and Cascade hops.
Bloody Nora – a standout blood orange IPA with a big citrus tang and a dry, refreshing finish.
Alpha Centauri – a Galaxy-hopped IPA bursting with mango, melon and passionfruit flavours.
Saint Arnold – a Belgian-style IPA brewed with fruity yeast and Mosaic/Sabro hops to add complexity.
In addition to our core range, we also release seasonal specials and limited edition beers on a regular basis. There’s always something new and different on tap at the taproom and in our cans, so our beers are great for beer fans who like to explore new things.
What Makes Hop Union a Genuine Bristol Brewery?
1. Brewed in the Heart of Bristol
Our beers are brewed and packed at the brewery on Bonville Road in Brislington. No outsourcing to another brewery. No contract brewing. Just fresh beer brewed on-site by a local team using Bristol’s natural water supply. It doesn’t get more Bristolian than that.
2. Community
The on-site taproom is also a warm welcome for locals, dog-walkers, cyclists and craft beer fans from further afield.
3. Award-Winning Quality
Our beers aren’t just popular with the locals, they’ve won industry recognition too. Gold and silver medals at Taste of the West and SIBA awards are a nice nod, but praise from pub landlords and customers is the biggest compliment of all. When our beer consistently delivers on taste and consistency, we know we’re doing something right.
Where to Find Hop Union Beer
There are plenty of ways to try Bristol’s best beer:
- Visit the Taproom – Open Thursday to Saturday in the brewery itself. Fresh pours, friendly faces, and regular events like live music and quizzes.
- Buy Online – Build a box of your favourite cans; choose a seasonal selection; or stock up on 5 or 10-litre bag-in-box ales. Local delivery across Bristol, or nationwide shipping if you’re further afield.
- Try Local – Look out for our beers in independent pubs and bottle shops across Bristol and the South West.
Why Hop Union Answers The Question “What Beer is from Bristol?”
Hop Union isn’t just based in Bristol, it captures Bristol’s personality: creative, bold, unpretentious, and community-focused. Every part of the brewery, from its location and staff to its ingredients and values, is rooted in Bristol life.
So when people ask us, “What beer is from Bristol?”, they’re really asking, “What beer feels like Bristol?” And the answer is Hop Union.
Whether it’s a can of Bonville Pale in the park, a pint of Bloody Nora at the local, or a fresh pour of Alpha Centauri at the taproom. Hop Union is what Bristol tastes like in a glass.
Try it for yourself
Visit to hopunionbrewery.co.uk to browse our beers, book a visit to the taproom, or place your first order.
