It’s been almost 160 years in the making – now St Austell Brewery has launched its first premium quality Cornish lager. 

The bottled lager named Korev, the traditional Cornish word for beer, has hit pubs and bars in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. 

Korev – branded as Cornish to the last drop – not only has a Cornish language name and iconic photo of Perranporth beach on its label, but it is brewed in St Austell using the finest malt from Cornish grown barley and St Austell Brewery’s own lager yeast. 

Award-winning head brewer Roger Ryman has transferred his talent and excellence in creating cask ales and to develop Korev, a high quality premium lager brewed to authentic central European standards. 

The resulting product is pale, clean and crisp with a delicate taste and hint of honey aroma. It is bottled in an amber glass, which is the safest method of protecting it from potential sunlight damage. 

The launch of Korev follows major investment by St Austell Brewery, first in building an in-house bottling line and most recently through the purchase of two conical fermentation vessels designed specifically to brew high quality lager. 

This latest move follows research among consumers where St Austell Brewery identified a strong demand for a Cornish high quality lager to compete in the bottled beer market alongside brands such as Sol, San Miguel and Peroni. 

Roger Ryman said: “Our new bottling line has given us the opportunity to diversify and explore new markets. In Korev we want to produce a premium quality, Cornish bottled lager brewed to authentic central European that will compete with the best in the market and will match the quality of our cask and bottled ales. 

“We’re hugely proud of Korev and hope you’ll agree it’s been worth the wait.” 

Korev will be sold in 500ml bottles and will be available through St Austell Brewery’s pubs, selected free trade outlets and the St Austell Brewery Visitor Centre from July 13.