03/08/24 – Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith

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Today, I spent the day in Buxton, a town situated at an elevation exceeding 1000 feet, making it one of the highest market towns in England. It is renowned for its therapeutic spa waters. During my visit, I explored several pubs, micropubs, and taprooms, including some operated by the local Buxton Brewery. I concluded my day in nearby Chapel-en-le-Frith, often referred to as the “Capital of the Peaks,” where I visited a delightful micropub.

Buxton Brewery Shop / Beer District

I reached Buxton prior to the opening of the pubs, allowing me the opportunity to explore a few noteworthy shops to commence the day. The “Buxton Brewery Shop,” situated in the Springs Shopping Centre, offers an extensive selection of canned beverages, barrel-aged bottles, and various merchandise. Additionally, “Beer District” is an excellent establishment for beer, wine, and spirits, featuring an impressive assortment.

Lubens

The initial call I made today was to “Lubens.” This delightful small bar, situated within an 18th Century terrace, presents a warm and welcoming ambience. The front section features a café-style setting with comfortable seating, ideal for savouring an array of delectable dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. Meanwhile, the rear section houses the bar. I received a notably friendly welcome this morning.

This morning, the bar featured a choice of three cask ales, accompanied by several keg beers. I opted for “Pugin’s Gold,” produced by Peakstones Rock Brewing Company in Staffordshire. This ale was crafted to commemorate the bicentennial of Augustus Pugin’s birth, the renowned Victorian architect known for his designs, including the Houses of Parliament and St. Giles RC Church in Cheadle. It is a delightful light golden beer with a refreshing citrus flavour. 

Cheshire Cheese

A brief stroll leads me to the “Cheshire Cheese,” an exquisite double-fronted structure that is listed as Grade II. This establishment has been operated by Titanic Brewery since the autumn of 2013. The interior boasts an impressive open-plan design, featuring multiple alcoves and a few bay windows. The vibrant wooden flooring, low ceilings, and original wooden beams contribute to a wonderfully cosy and inviting atmosphere. One section of the venue includes an open fireplace, complemented by an outdoor beer garden at the front. Today, I received a warm reception from the staff behind the bar.

A remarkable selection of nine cask ales is available, featuring six from Titanic Brewery and three guest beers. Additionally, there is an impressive variety of keg beers to savour. I opted for “Atlantic Red” from Titanic Brewery, which is a delightful strong ruby ale characterized by its smooth, rich, and malty taste.

Ale Stop

A brief walk down the hill leads me to “Ale Stop,” situated adjacent to the Market Place. This remarkable micropub is the first of its kind in the High Peak region, having been transformed from a previous wine shop and divided into two distinct rooms. Upon entering, the first room features the bar and seating, with additional seating available in the adjoining room. The ambience is enhanced by background music sourced from a selection of vinyl records, contributing to the establishment’s inviting atmosphere. It was a pleasure to converse with the owner, Richard, during my visit today, and I also enjoyed the unexpected encounter with one of my readers, Henry.

An assortment of four cask ales and two ciders is presented, with the intention of introducing unique beers to Buxton that are not commonly available in the region. My selection commenced with “D.B. Dark,” from Dow Bridge Brewery located in Lincolnshire. This delightful strong dark ale features rich chocolate undertones. This brewery was unfamiliar to me prior to this experience. I then sampled “Head Banger” from Little Critters Brewing Company, based in Sheffield. This session IPA is both flavourful and easy to enjoy.

Seasons

Descending the hill leads me to Seasons which opened in April 2021 converted from a shop unit. An exceptional establishment specializing in craft beer and cocktails. The ambience is lively yet soothing, creating a perfect atmosphere for relaxation. It was a pleasure to meet and converse with the owner, Sarah, during my visit. 

They boast an excellent selection of beers, featuring five draft keg options that vary in style and potency, complemented by a refrigerator stocked with bottles and cans. I opted for a beer from Silent Brew Co., a new brewery located in Buxton, titled “There’s a Glitch in the Matrix.” This remarkable hazy New England IPA is brewed with Citra and Waimea hops, delivering delightful tropical flavour notes.

RedWillow

My journey takes me over the road to “RedWillow,” a pub operated by Red Willow Brewery located in Macclesfield. Established in late 2017, it has been transformed from a previous Royal Bank of Scotland branch. The structure itself is quite impressive, featuring an effectively designed and visually appealing interior that includes a comfortable snug and seating areas on the mezzanine level. I received a delightful welcome and thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Manager Megan.

They offer a selection of four cask ales, complemented by an extensive array of twelve keg beers. I opted for a sour beer from Red Willow Brewery, specifically the “Tayberry Berliner Weisse.” This delightful beer is both tart and refreshing, merging the sour foundation of a Berliner Weisse with the fruity essence of tayberries.

Buxton Brewery Tap House & Cellar Bar

A brief stroll takes me to Buxton Brewery Tap House and Buxton Brewery Cellar. Two separate bars here with the Tap House being open today. This bar is highly sought after, particularly by families looking to dine, as the aroma of the food is delightful. Part of a Grade II listed building, this bar boasts a fantastic layout with multiple distinct sections and outdoor seating. A great warm welcome from the team on today and exceptionally quick service despite them being very busy.

This pub offers a choice of three cask ales, in addition to twelve keg lines, as well as a wide variety of bottles and cans available for consumption on-site or for takeaway. I chose to sample “Trolltunga,” a collaborative brew from Buxton Brewery and Lervig Brewery of Norway. Named after a prominent rock formation in Norway that extends 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet, this beer is a delightful tart and sour gooseberry sour, truly enjoyable!

The Frog on the Bine

As I turn the corner, I am led to my next destination, “The Frog on the Bine.” This establishment is a recent entrant to Buxton’s beer scene, having opened its doors in June of this year. The venue is notably bright and inviting, with the bar situated in the back corner. An additional room located upstairs features large windows that offer splendid views of the dome. It was a pleasure to meet and chat with the owner, Cat.

The bar offers an excellent assortment today, featuring two cask ales and eight keg beers, showcasing a range of styles and strengths. I encountered a new brewery, BeerRiff, located in Swansea. The selected beer, “Back in Bract,” incorporates the innovative NZ-105 hop alongside Citra, resulting in a delightful, hoppy, and flavorful pale ale.

Beer & Bean

My final visit in Buxton is to a venue located just a few doors away and is to “Beer & Bean.” This unique establishment operates as both a bar and a coffee shop. It features a variety of keg beers alongside a selection of coffees, cakes, waffles, and other delectable offerings. The interior exudes a warm ambience, enhanced by the appealing scents of freshly made food.

Today, the bar offered a variety of keg options, including beer, cider, and lager. I chose the “California IPA” from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., located in the United States. This delightful session IPA is brewed with Simcoe, Crystal, and Chinook hops, which impart excellent citrus flavours.

A brief journey on the 199 bus, which was en route to Manchester Airport, transported me to the adjacent town of Chapel-en-le-Frith.

The Old Cell Ale Bar

In Chapel-en-le-Frith I arrived at my last destination of the day, The Old Cell Ale Bar. This former shop, which used to be the town’s jail cells, has been transformed into a wonderful Micropub situated in the centre of the village. I had the privilege of meeting the owner, Jane, who gave me a tour of the premises, including the cells located downstairs. The pub exudes a pleasant and inviting atmosphere, making it a cosy and welcoming place to be. Thanks again for the ride back to the station!

I was presented with an impressive selection of four cask ales at the bar. I opted for the two offerings from the local brewery, Chapel-en-le-Frith Craft Brewing. I began with the “Galaxy Hopped,” a delightful session ale characterized by its hoppy profile and notes of citrus, peach, and passionfruit. My second choice was the “Sinamarian,” a flavorful and smooth black IPA.

After the lift back to the station, the train back into Manchester and back home concluded the day.