Quay People: George from Quayside Distillery
Spotlighting the businesses and characters of the Quayside
Welcome to our blog where we shine a spotlight on the businesses, organisations and characters who work around Exeter’s historic Quayside and help bring the waterfront to life. For the latest instalment we chat to George from Quayside Distillery and gin and more!
Can you tell us a little about the background of Quayside Distillery?
Quayside Distillery was launched in 2022 to offer something different on Exeter Quay. Utilising methods of distillation that only a handful of distilleries use globally means that Exeter has something really different.
Where did your love of gin begin?
It all started at our other venue in Exmouth, SPOKEN, which won the UK’s Best Spirits Bar, offering 1,200 spirits. This led to supplying ALDI, Wetherspoons, and many other sites across the country. It’s not just gin that we love here, though – we make a range of cellos, sambuca, and more!
You use local botanicals in your gin. Where do you source them from?
My mother grows our lemon verbena, our seaweed is collected from Exmouth and Dawlish, and other botanicals come from around Exeter – truly local ingredients, not just local by name!
You offer a variety of events. What can people expect from Gin School?
The Gin School offers an experience to make, label, and name your own bottle of gin whilst learning all about our unique methods of production that you won’t have seen before. It comes with some fun games, and Bill (our distiller) makes it a really enjoyable experience.
What other events and experiences do you offer?
Since the launch of our floating bar in March, we are just finding our feet and will be launching all manner of fun events throughout the year. From BBQs to bottomless brunches – got an idea? Get in touch and we will make it happen!
One of your big pieces of news is the new floating pontoon. Can you tell us more about it?
After two and a half years of planning, the floating bar has finally arrived. We have opened our café from Wednesday to Sunday (9am till 4pm), and then evenings are reserved for private hire and events.
What makes running a business on Exeter Quay so special?
Every day is just so different. Such a variety of faces – but all of them lovely. The Quay is really now becoming the heart of Exeter, and it’s a dream to be a part of it. I hope the legacy of a ‘clean’ manufacturing site for spirits will continue long after I’m gone!
Do you have any top tips for people visiting the quayside?
It’s got to be to book and plan in advance. Things get so busy down here that the number of people visiting far exceeds capacity – get in early, leave late, book a babysitter & taxi!
