Pubs and Real Ale

Food & Drink

The Isle of Wight has a thriving pub scene and a strong real ale culture. The island is home to several breweries, including Goddards Brewery at Ryde, Island Brewery at Shalfleet, and Yates' Brewery at Newchurch. These produce a range of cask ales that are widely available across island pubs. Goddards' Fuggle-Dee-Dum is perhaps the best known, a strong winter ale that has won national awards.

The island has well over 100 pubs, ranging from traditional village locals to waterfront bars. Many are listed in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide. Notable pubs include the Spyglass Inn at Ventnor, perched above the sea with views across the Channel; the Sun Inn at Hulverstone, a remote downland pub popular with walkers; the Buddle Inn at Niton, one of the oldest pubs on the island; and the Folly Inn near Cowes, accessible by boat.

Village pubs remain at the heart of island communities. Godshill, Brighstone, Shorwell and Calbourne all have popular pubs that serve both locals and visitors. Many offer food, beer gardens and accommodation. Cowes has the densest concentration of pubs, swelling in numbers during Cowes Week when temporary bars appear along the waterfront.

The Isle of Wight Beer and Buses Festival, held annually, combines real ale sampling with vintage bus rides around the island. Several pubs also host their own beer festivals. The island's real ale tradition is supported by an active CAMRA branch.