There’s a bumpy country lane in North Cornwall that leads, eventually, to a farm sitting at the foot of Bodmin Moor. That’s where you’ll find Harbour Brewing Co. 

Founded in 2012 by Eddie Lofthouse and brewer Rhys Powell, Harbour Brewing Co. started with a simple ambition: to make the kind of craft beer that simply didn’t exist in the South West yet. What began as a side project - Powell brewing, Lofthouse running the business - became something neither of them planned to walk away from. 

Today, among the beers they brew, you'll find the Caravan Lager - made exclusively for us and poured across all our restaurants.

We sat down with Gemma Williams, Marketing Manager at Harbour Brewing Co., to find out how they brew, what drives them, and why Cornwall ends up in every pint. The conversation was led by Charlie Humphries, Caravan’s Head of Brand.

Charlie: You’ve been brewing on the Cornish coast for a while now, but for anyone new to Harbour Brewing Co., how would you describe what you’re about in your own words?

Gemma: Sunshine, good times and seriously drinkable beer. Harbour is all about stretching those golden moments a little longer. Whether that’s post-surf on the coast, a long lunch with friends, or finding a bit of sunshine in the middle of the city. We brew crisp, unfussy beers designed to bring people together.

Charlie: Does brewing near the coast change how you think about freshness or drinkability?

Gemma: Absolutely. Everything we brew is geared towards that sunshine moment at the end of the day, the exhale after the play. We want our beers to feel crisp, clean and easy going. The kind you reach for when the sun’s out, friends are gathering, and good times are rolling on a little longer.

Charlie: What does a great beer mean to you, beyond just taste?

Gemma: Great beer’s about more than what’s in the glass. Time, place, people, atmosphere. It all shapes the moment.

Charlie: How has where you are in Cornwall shaped the way you brew?

Gemma: Cornwall shapes everything we do, right down to the water we brew with. We’re lucky to use natural spring water that comes straight out of the ground, untouched and untreated, so there’s no need for heavy filtration or overcomplication. It gives our beers a clean, crisp character that really reflects our approach to brewing.

Charlie: There’s a lot of talk around “craft” in beer, but what does it actually mean in your day-to-day brewing?

Gemma: For us, craft means the beer always comes first. Every decision from the ingredients we source to the time we give each beer in tank is about making the best beer possible, not the cheapest. It’s about being hands on, paying attention to the details and brewing with real care and consistency. Being independent also gives us the freedom to keep experimenting, refining and making beers we genuinely love to drink.

Charlie: What’s something people might not realise about brewing at your scale?

Gemma: Every year, we feed over 300,000kg of spent grain from the brewery to the cows on the farm, so nothing goes to waste. It’s a nice reminder that brewing is still a really grounded, agricultural process at heart, just with a few more good beers at the end of it.

Charlie: Tell us more about the Caravan lager and pale ale - how are they brewed, and what makes them unique?

Gemma: The lager is all about simplicity done properly, just four core ingredients, brewed with patience and attention to detail. It’s clean, crisp and incredibly refreshing. The pale ale takes a slightly different route. We use Cornish sea salt to give a lower ABV beer extra body and mouthfeel, then load it up with bright American hops for plenty of flavour and aroma.

Charlie: If someone orders the Caravan lager or pale ale, what should they be noticing in the taste?

Gemma: With the lager, expect a clean, crisp and seriously refreshing pint. There’s a gentle lemony zestiness, a touch of sweet cereal malt, and a bright, refreshing finish that keeps everything feeling light and easy-drinking.

The pale ale brings a little more tropical energy. Expect notes of mango, citrus and juicy berries on the nose, followed by papaya and orange flavours with a smooth, fresh finish. It’s packed with flavour but still incredibly drinkable.

Charlie: How do these beers sit alongside food, rather than just on their own?

Gemma: Both beers are designed to be really food friendly because they’re balanced and easy-drinking rather than overpowering. The lager’s crisp, refreshing finish works brilliantly with richer or saltier dishes - it cuts through beautifully and keeps everything feeling fresh.

The pale ale is a bit more playful with food. The citrus and tropical notes really lift spice, grilled flavours and fresh ingredients, while the smooth body keeps it approachable and easy to pair across a meal. They’re beers made for long lunches, sharing plates and those moments where one round naturally turns into another.

Charlie: Perfect setting for a pint of the Caravan lager?

Gemma: That post-work, post-run, post-anything moment where the sun’s pouring through the window or you’ve grabbed the last spot out on the terrace. Crisp, refreshing and easy-going, it’s made for slowing things down, settling into good company and stretching the sunshine a little longer.

Want to know more about the people behind what's on our menu? Discover the full story of our suppliers - the brewers, roasters, farmers and makers we work with - on Caravanandco.com/pages/suppliers.

Or have a look at our food and drinks menus.