Bath Ales began its journey as a tiny brewery in Wincanton, Somerset, in 1995. Founded by Roger Jones and Richard Dempster, the pair brought on Rab Clark, a local publican, because he was willing to sell their first beer.  Demand for their flagship beer Gem spread quickly and it soon became one of the south west's most popular craft beers. The team relocated to a larger brewery site in Warmley near Bristol. Their flagship pub, the Hop Pole, is based just a short walk from the Novel Wines shop on Upper Bristol Road in Bath.