Buxton on the edge of Derbyshire is famous for many things, it's water, rolling hills, the opera house, it's winding roads, the Cat and Fiddle and how do you improve on water? Well how about using it for great beer too! That's exactly what the team at Buxton Brewery have done and with some aptly named beer celebrating landmarks such as Mam Tor captured as Low Tor, Moor Top and Buxton Spa just some fine examples of the beer available to you.
Whilst a trip to Buxton is highly recommended and is an ideal day out for people of all ages. From the train and park which bring fond memories to many of us from our childhoods, the pitch and putt, crazy golf and ice creams outside the pavilion gardens. Through to nights in the theatre watching comedians, shows and bands with some top level acts all in the intimate and wonderful Buxton Opera House. From Postman Pat to Ardal O'Hanlon, Mud 2, The Real Thing and more we are entertained at all ages.
From the famous lions head, officially known as St Anne's Well. Although I've visited several times I couldn't remember that, it will always be the Lion's Head for me dispensing the famous Buxton Water with queues of people filling their bottles by the car load. Now if it only dispensed beer... but fear not that's where Buxton Brewery comes in.
Over a decade ago back in January 2009, the brewhouse was the family garage and a batch size of 40 litres, that was the first brew. Then quite a few things happened..
The resulting Pale Ale was a long way off what Geoff had in mind, but nevertheless, was consumed with relish after a tantalising wait for fermentation and bottle-conditioning to run their course. Over the following months, recipes were tweaked, altered, thrown away and revived as they searched out information online and in countless books and picked the brains of generous and far more experienced brewers.
Within 12 months, with positive feedback and enthusiasm, the decision to take brewing to the next level and go ‘commercial’ was made and for a while Buxton ‘cuckoo-brewed’ at another local microbrewery. In January 2010, with Geoff ‘going for it’ full-time, brewing on a second-hand 800 litre plant began in earnest.
Fast-forward 9 years and the team, which has steadily grown to be 11 strong is now based in a 7000 square foot modern building on Staden Lane, Buxton. Its custom designed and (British) built brewhouse produces around 3500 litres per brew, 3 times per week.
The brewery makes upwards of 30 distinct brews of all kinds and has many other special editions both planned and in its back-catalogue. Innovation and super-high quality are the prime goals, along with a nod to tradition and an almost maniacal attention to detail.
All of the beers the brewery produces are designed to delight the senses and enthral the drinker. Not all beers are created equal, some are big and strong and full of powerful hops and malts, others are lighter, and have subtle nuances of flavour and aroma. All are intended to be enjoyed as a lovingly hand made product, nurtured by a small team of dedicated beer lovers.
From our own fond memories of Buxton and new adventures too, we're delighted to include Buxton Beer in our selections, tubes (Derbyshire Delight) and specific brewery packs too. All this delivered to any UK door.