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Exploring Dronfield: Best Pubs and Brewery Experiences
The Chesterfield Beer Festival, hosted at the historic Winding Wheel Theatre, showcases a diverse range of UK beers and offers delicious food options. The festival promotes local and further afield brews and features talks, including one on haunted pubs. Nearby, Drone Valley Brewery stands out as the UK’s only community-owned brewery, involving locals in brewing and profits reinvestment. The Coach & Horses pub, with a long history dating back to 1795, maintains its welcoming charm and features a selection of Thornbridge beers. Other local spots, like The Beer Stop and The Underdog, contribute to a thriving craft beer culture in Dronfield, enhancing the community experience.
Chesterfield Beer Festival
The Winding Wheel Theatre started its journey in 1923, the architect being Harold Joseph Shepherd, as the Chesterfield Picture House, created to be a fancy cinema. It was the place to catch silent films and even had a ballroom with shops and a restaurant added in 1930. In 1937, it got a new name, Odeon, and enjoyed a successful run until it shut down in 1981. The Chesterfield Borough Council took it over in 1987, turning it into a multi-purpose entertainment spot while keeping its original charm. A big renovation happened in 2018, making the visitor experience even better.
The Chesterfield CAMRA beer festival has been a staple here for several years, and this time around, it features an amazing variety of beers from breweries all over the UK, including spots like Scotland, Oxfordshire, and Sussex. The event spans three floors, each with its own unique history and stunning views.
Food lovers were pleased with options from Cheese Factor, which serves up a selection of pork pies, cheeses, and more. Plus, Shorena Georgian was there with delicious Georgian cheese breads and savory snacks from Eastern Europe. Throughout the festival, there are several talks happening, and I caught one by Shaun from Chesterfield Great Historic Pub Tour about haunted pubs in Chesterfield. It was great to reconnect with some folks—Shaun, Suzie, Dan, Cath, and others. Overall, it’s a fantastic festival!
I had 5 new breweries for me here to sample (although I missed out on one – Amwell Springs which had already sold out).
1 – The Barn Owl Brewery who are based in Gozzards Ford, Oxfordshire. “Old Scruttocks” is a rich and smooth porter, super tasty with just a hint of smokiness.
2 – Wickham House who are based in Louth, Lincolnshire. “Jester” is a crisp and flavourful golden ale that strikes the perfect balance, crafted with Jester hops for a refreshing experience.
3 – Indigenous Brewery based in Chaddleworth, West Berkshire. “Baldrick” is a tasty Mild Ale, a style that’s pretty rare nowadays but always hits the spot. It’s smooth and packed with rich malty flavours.
4 – Little Ox Brew Co based in Witney, Oxfordshire. “Ox Blood” is a Red IPA, another style that is hard to come across. A great juicy hoppy ale brewed using Citra and Simcoe hops.
5 – Lab in the Garage a new brewery located near to myself in Castleford. “If you’re hoppy and you know it” is a very light, sessionable pale ale. Great to see a new startup brewery supported at the festival.
6 Resting Devil based in Chesterfield. I had to check out the local brew. “Bunco Kelly” is a fresh beer made just for this year’s festival, featuring Savinski holdings, Willamette, and Azacca hops. It’s packed with awesome flavours and has a nice hoppy kick.
Dronfield
Drone Valley Brewery Tap
A bus ride out on the 43 bus from Chesterfield to Unstone brings me to Drone Valley Brewery. This place stands out as the only independent community-owned brewery in the UK. It kicked off its commercial brewing journey in 2016, which was a big step for the brewery. Nestled in Unstone, Derbyshire, it runs a five-barrel plant and has become a go-to spot for local beer lovers and community folks. What makes Drone Valley special is its community ownership model. With over 800 members holding shares, it creates a strong sense of community and investment among locals. This setup not only lets people get involved in the brewery’s activities but also ensures that all profits go back into local initiatives, highlighting the brewery’s dedication to community support.
At Drone Valley, all brewing is done by volunteers, many of whom have brewing qualifications and experience. This volunteer-based approach boosts community involvement and adds to the authenticity of the beers. The brewery takes pride in using top-notch ingredients and traditional brewing methods while also catering to modern tastes, including vegan-friendly options. They offer a wide variety of beers, regularly producing 28 different styles, including IPAs, stouts, ales, and seasonal specials.
I had an awesome time here! It was cool chatting with some of the volunteers and regulars. The small bar inside the brewery is pretty neat, and I got a little tour of the place.
They’ve got four cask ales and two keg beers on tap, plus a bunch of bottled options. There’s also a marquee for seating, which is super cozy and inviting, complete with a stage for live music events. I tried out a couple of their beers at the bar today. First up was the “Derbyshire Blonde,” which is a nice, light blonde ale that’s super easy to drink. Next, I went for the “Green Man,” an awesome hoppy brew made with local green hops. I wrapped things up with the “Station Porter,” a strong and hearty porter created to mark 150 years of Dronfield Station.
I met up with Neil from Neil’s Real Ale & Pub Page during my visit to Dronfield today. It was really nice to see you and catch up!
The Coach & Horses
Back on the 43 bus again in the Sheffield direction, passing through Dronfield centre and to the other end. Here my visit was to The Coach & Horses. The pub started out as a coaching inn back in 1795, built to cater to travellers on the new turnpike road linking Sheffield and Chesterfield. It was a key stop during the coaching days, offering a place to rest and grab a bite for those on the move between the two towns. When cars came into the picture, the inn adapted to the times. The coach house next door was turned into a motor repair garage, complete with a petrol pump, showing how transportation evolved from horses to cars.
Besides being an inn, the location has historical importance because it’s close to recreational land that’s been in use for over a hundred years. This land is now where Sheffield Football Club plays, which is known as the oldest football club in the world, established in 1857. The club’s story is closely linked to the Coach and Horses, as it has been using this area for its activities since moving there in 2001.
Now run by Thornbridge Brewery from Bakewell, this spot has a cosy and inviting vibe as soon as you walk in. The mix of dark wood tables, chairs, and wood paneling covering half the wall really adds to the charm. There’s also a spacious outdoor area that’s perfect for enjoying a drink when the weather’s nice. The staff behind the bar are super friendly, and the service is impressively quick, even when it’s bustling.
You can pick from a fantastic selection of 5 cask beers from Thornbridge, along with several keg options. I started off with “Bowie,” a really tasty and smooth blonde ale that’s super easy to drink. Then I moved on to “Astryd,” which is a super hazy and juicy pale ale packed with awesome hop flavours.
The Beer Stop
A 20 minute walk back into Dronfield brings me to The Beer Stop. The Beer Stop kicked off its journey in December 2014, right at the bottom of Callywhite Lane, where the local Post Office used to be. It’s a cool spot for craft beer, offering both takeout and a taproom experience, and it’s really made a name for itself in the local beer community.
Chris recently took over, and it was awesome to meet and chat with him tonight. He also does some brewing at The Dronfield Arms. As you walk up, you’ll notice a great outdoor area, with part of it covered by a marquee.
Inside, it’s a cosy and inviting spot, featuring a small bar in the corner and a wall lined with fridges stocked with an impressive selection of bottles and cans. Plus, there are 6 keg taps on the bar to pick from. I went with a beer from Track Brewery in Manchester called “Fusion.” It’s an awesome New England IPA that’s hazy, juicy, and super tasty. Definitely a solid pick!
The Underdog
A short walk, under the railway bridge to my next visit. The Underdog pub kicked off its journey on September 18, 2019, taking over the spot that used to be Smiffy’s. They did a major makeover to blend a modern vibe with a classic pub atmosphere, mixing industrial design with that cosy town bar charm. Plus, it’s awesome that they sourced everything from local traders and suppliers.
Inside, you’ll find a spacious single room with a high ceiling and wooden floors. The design aims to strike a balance between modern, industrial, and traditional styles while keeping that friendly town bar vibe. Some great items dotted around on the walls add to the feel.
The vibe here is super welcoming, and it’s clearly a hotspot for the locals. I couldn’t resist trying the pulled pork sandwich they had, which was helping to raise money for a local cancer charity. The bar features five cask ales, and the back wall is lined with an awesome variety of keg beers to pick from. I went with the “Full Moon” from Chantry Brewery in Rotherham. It’s a tasty pale ale that blends American and New Zealand hops, giving it some awesome flavours.
Dronfield Arms
My final call of the day was located right next door. Dronfield Arms has a rich history that goes back to the 19th century. It was originally called The Midland Hotel and first popped up in records in 1871, owned by Henry Tweed. After him, Thomas Roberts took over in 1879, followed by William Leigh in 1881. This early era really established the pub as a key spot in the local community. Fast forward to the 20th century, the pub changed its name to The Sidings and then The Old Sidings, a nod to its closeness to the railway, making it a popular hangout for both travellers and locals. With entrances on Mill Lane and Chesterfield Road, it was easy to get to and well-loved by the local community.
In 2011, The Old Sidings got a makeover and reopened as The Dronfield Arms, aiming to be a modern pub that focused on community vibes and independent operations. Since then, it’s become a staple in Dronfield’s social scene.
Then in 2015, the Dronfield Arms made a name for itself by becoming the first brewpub in Dronfield, setting up a brewery kit in what used to be a restaurant area. Initially called Hopjacker, this brewery let customers enjoy fresh, locally brewed beers right on the premises. By late 2021, the brewing operation shifted to Temper Brewery, which is still running strong today. A cool feature of the pub is that you can actually see the brewing equipment through a glass panel in the floor of the main bar. Not sure how clear this is now as it was covered in tables this evening so couldn’t really see.
This evening is buzzing with activity, and there’s a mouthwatering wood-fired pizza stand in the parking lot. The service was very quick! At the bar, you can find three cask beers from Temper Brewery alongside one guest, plus a selection of six guest kegs with different styles to choose from.
Micropub Adventures 