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.
Category Archives: Brewery Tour
01/02/25 – Bakewell and Sheffield
Bakewell, a historic market town in Derbyshire dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era, features landmarks such as the Bakewell Parish Church and a 13th-century bridge. It’s famous for its Bakewell pudding, created accidentally in the 1800s, and a strong brewing culture exemplified by Thornbridge Brewery, founded in 2005. The brewery utilizes a historic Burton Union system for fermentation, enriching its beer flavours. Local pubs like the Joiners Arms and The Peacock emphasize community and craft beers. Bakewell’s vibrant history includes events like the Militia Riots of 1796 and unique stories tied to establishments, enhancing its charm and appeal.
04/01/25 – Doncaster, Sandtoft and Goole
This blog takes you on a fun tour of pubs and breweries around Doncaster and North Lincolnshire, showcasing the local drinking scene. It kicks off at Don Valley Brewery Tap, famous for its sleek brewing setup and awesome beer choices. It then dives into spots like The Leopard and The Little Plough, sharing their interesting backstories, cool architecture, and lively vibes. I taste a bunch of local ales, highlighting how much the community values quality craft beer. The adventure wraps up at Goole’s Tom Pudding micropub, which paints a picture of a cosy, welcoming atmosphere among the patrons.
14/12/24 – Loughborough and Barrow Upon Soar
Loughborough is noted for its significant history, particularly as home to the largest bell foundry and notable advances in engineering during the 19th century. This rich heritage is complemented by its vibrant beer scene, featuring various pubs and breweries such as Charnwood Brewery, which celebrates ten years of operation. Visitors can explore a range of unique establishments, each with its own history and character, from The Swan in the Rushes to The Needle & Pin, showcasing local beers alongside cosy atmospheres. The town also marks historical events, including a World War I zeppelin attack, reflecting its industrial significance.
03/10/24-04/10/24 – Dublin
The Ultimate Dublin Pub Crawl: History, Beer, and Atmosphere Upon arriving in Dublin, I explored numerous pubs, starting with the iconic Temple Bar, known for its live Irish music and excellent Guinness. I also visited J.R Mahon’s, a historic venue with an extensive beer selection, including in-house brews. Tapped Late Bar impressed with its modernContinue reading “03/10/24-04/10/24 – Dublin”
26/09/24-29/09/24 – Fylde Coast
The three-day exploration of the Fylde Coast included visits to various breweries, micropubs, and pubs in locations such as Cleveleys, Blackpool, and Lytham. Highlighted establishments featured diverse selections of cask and keg beers, showcasing unique flavours and atmospheres.
27/09/24 – Lake District
Today I headed to The Lake District, I visited several unique pubs and breweries, starting with The Crafty Baa in Windermere, known for its eclectic décor and impressive drink selection. Next, I explored The Watermill Inn in Ings, home to Windermere Brewing Company, offering a delightful variety of ales. In Kendal, I discovered Lakes Brew Co, Bowness Bay Brewing, The Factory Tap, Indie Craft Beer, Handsome Snuff Bar, The New Union, and Fell Bar. Each venue showcased distinct atmospheres and exceptional beers, including pale ales and IPAs, making for a rich and enjoyable experience in the local brewing scene.
07/09/24 – Louth
Today, my journey leads me to Louth, a charming Georgian market town commonly known as the “Capital of the Woods.” This town is located at the foot of the Wolds, where they meet the Lincolnshire Marsh. The River Lud meanders softly through the town, and the Greenwich Meridian line is indicated on Eastgate. During my visit, I had the opportunity to explore four breweries and brewery taps, in addition to a variety of scenic and historic pubs. I concluded my day in Grimsby with a visit to “Docks Beers.”
27/07/24 – Congleton
Today, I headed to Congleton, situated in Cheshire. Congleton earned the nickname “beartown” due to the popularity of bear baiting during Elizabethan times. I will be meeting Mikey and other individuals from “Beartown Brewery” for a tour of several pubs in the town, many of which will be participating in Congleton’s “Big Beer Weekend” featuring tap takeovers, meet the brewers events, and more.
19/07/24 – Gloucester, Newport and Caldicot
Starting in Gloucester, recognized for its historical significance as the burial site of King Edward II and Walter de Lacy, I embarked on an excursion. After exploring a few brewery establishments in Gloucester Docks, I then proceeded to visit two Micropubs located in the city centre. Subsequently, I made my way to Newport and Caldicot, where I had the opportunity to visit three breweries and a Micropub.
Micropub Adventures 