The Foundry Brewery & Distillery, shown on the English Whisky Map, offers a unique blend of handcrafted beers and spirits in the heart of the Castle Quarter of Canterbury. Run by Jon Mills and his wife Jodie, the place combines a historic Victorian setting with a modern brew pub experience. Guests can enjoy a variety of beers, gins and rums, as well as home-cooked meals inspired by American and English pub classics.
The Foundry also offers tours that showcase its craft process and the intriguing history of the building. These tours provide an insightful look into the production process, including the techniques and ingredients used to create the different drinks. Visitors can learn about the history of brewing in Canterbury while they taste the latest creations of the brewery.
Award-Winning Spirits: Where History Meets Flavour
The Foundry has had multiple achievements across the World Drinks Awards, which are renowned global accolades that celebrate the finest in spirit drinks, recognising excellence across a diverse array of styles. The Awards are divided into two main categories: one focuses on taste, honouring the best flavours and quality in spirit drinks, while the other highlights design excellence, celebrating exceptional packaging and branding in the spirits industry.
The World Whiskies Awards 2024
These are a hallmark of excellence in the spirits industry, with top whiskies from around the globe rigorously evaluated by an expert panel of international judges. At the World Whiskies Awards 2024, The Foundry Brewery & Distillery's incredible whiskies took home two gold Awards in two categories:
- The English Single Cast Single Grain Category with the Foundry Streetlight Single Malt Whisky: This smooth and flavourful whisky captures the spirit of Canterbury's history and The Foundry's unique role in crafting the city's Victorian streetlights.
- The English New Make and Young Spirit Category with the Foundry Capstan Single Malt Whisky: Rich and complex, this whisky honours Kent's maritime heritage. Its name pays tribute to the capstan winch, which was once produced and patented right at The Foundry Brew Pub itself.
The World Gin Awards 2024
The World Gin Awards celebrate and promote the finest gins from around the globe, recognising excellence in a variety of internationally recognised styles. This annual competition is open to all gins available for sale, offering a valuable opportunity for both established distillers and newcomers to gain visibility and connect with gin enthusiasts worldwide. The Foundry was awarded bronze in the Flavoured Gin Category:
- Japanese Jin: A diverse mix of botanicals sourced globally, with a special emphasis on Shikuwasa fruit from Okinawa, where it is aged for 5 weeks.
The World Vodka Awards 2024
The World Vodka Awards 2024 is a prestigious global competition that selects and promotes the best vodkas produced in over 20 countries. The goal of the awards is to celebrate the best vodka from around the world, with an expert panel of judges determining which products are worth the title of World’s Best. It involves annual tastings to honour top vodkas, which must be widely available for sale. The Foundry was awarded Bronze in 2023 and Silver in 2024 with its Premium Artisan Vodka in the Varietal Vodka Category:
- Premium Artisan Vodka: Made from pure English barley, double distilled and unfiltered to retain the gentle hints of vanilla.
The World Rum Awards 2023
The World Rum Awards is a prestigious annual competition celebrating the best rums globally through a rigorous tasting process. It honours and promotes outstanding rums, which must be widely available for purchase, to consumers and industry professionals. The Foundry won a gold medal during these Awards in the Hybrid Still Category:
- Smuggler Sam’s White Rum: Crafted entirely in-house from sugar cane molasses, it boasts a unique, multifaceted nose and a palate that delivers beautifully balanced complexity.
Taste of Kent Awards
The Orange and Saffron Gin has been named a finalist for the Taste of Kent Awards 2024. Last year, Streetlight Whiskey was also honoured with the Silver Award at Taste of Kent as Spirit of the Year. This recognition highlights the unique blend of flavours and the craftsmanship that goes into creating this beloved gin.
These awards are a true testament to the careful crafting that goes into every bottle of The Foundry. From using the finest ingredients to overseeing the ageing process with dedication, the team is passionate about creating spirit drinks that honour tradition while embracing new ideas.
Celebrating Leadership: Jodie Mills
In addition to their success at the many World Awards and Taste of Kent Awards, Jodie Mills, Director of The Foundry Brew Pub, was honoured with the Kent Business Woman of the Year Award in the Growth Category. This accolade recognises her significant contributions to the business and the local community.
"I'm incredibly proud of the strides we've made," says Jodie. "This award is a tribute to our entire team's hard work and dedication. We're excited for what the future holds!" Jodie's leadership fosters a culture of creativity and excellence at The Foundry. Her ability to navigate challenges and seize opportunities has positioned them as leaders in brewing, distilling, hospitality and sustainability.
Recognised Excellence: Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award
Last year The Foundry Brew Pub’s commitment to exceptional experiences has also been recognised with the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for 2023, placing them in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. This Award reflects their dedication to quality and the positive reviews and ratings from their patrons over the past year.
The Foundry in a Nutshell
The Foundry Brewery & Distillery's achievements are a celebration of their dedication to quality, innovation and giving back to the community. With award-winning drinks, a passionate team led by the inspiring Jodie and Jon Mills and a commitment to providing the best possible experience, The Foundry continues to be a leader in the industry.
Ready to raise a glass to The Foundry's success? Head over to their website, Instagram or check out our Stories from the Castle Quarter podcast episode with Jon to learn more about their award-winning spirits, explore their menu and plan your visit to their historic pub. You can also browse their online shop to get a taste of The Foundry experience at home, or simply stop by the pub and enjoy the warm atmosphere, friendly service and delicious food and drinks!
Want the full experience? The Foundry has teamed up with Canterbury Cathedral for a special "Canterbury's Botanicals Tour: From Garden to Glass" experience. Wander around the Cathedral's gardens with a senior member of the gardening team and learn how the Benedictine monks' grew their own food and brewed their own beer on-site, then follow the herbs to The Foundry for a tour and gin tasting led by the founder Jon, who will explain the brewing and distilling process.
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