The Etsome Arms – How it all started

It all started with beer!

It all started in March 2019 when Peter had a conversation with the owner of an empty shop at our local pub in Compton Dundon. Following a few beers, they shook hands and The Etsome Arms journey began.

Initially it was a pop-up and the deal Peter struck with his wife, Sharon, was to try it for 8 weeks and see if we like it, if Somerton like it and if it could be viable business. We borrowed fridges, table and chairs and Pete built a small stillage and we opened! In fact by week 5 we had both fallen in love with the bar and Somerton.

A Celebration of Somerset Breweries

Peter’s plan was to celebrate the wealth of local Brewers that were in Somerset and use a map of such to show where each beer came from.

Fast forward to present, we have received 2 CAMRA awards; won Somerton Business of the Year twice; opened up a sister business The Etsome Offy in 2022; commissioned a local artist for a large mural which was installed 2023; employed local people and grew the team from 2 to 10 and the stillage grew from 4 to 6 to 8 with plans afoot for further extension – just watch out!

Words supplied by Sharon Lindsey