A selection of quality breweries creating the perfect pint
Tweed Brewing Company, Hyde
Young entrepreneur Sam Ward, 22, set up the Tweed Brewing Company in November 2014. This new micro-brewery in Hyde is bringing brewing back to the town for the first time since 1929.
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Tweed is the second business of ambitious Sam, who also launched his own sweet shop, The Tuck Shop, in his home town of Denton in January 2014. The desire to set up a brewery came after a discussion with his father, Dave and family friend brewer, Anthony Lewis.
‘The experience and confidence of running the Tuck Shop drove the opening of Tweed,’ said Sam, who then approached the bank for a small business loan to start the brewery. ‘We’ve come into the market as the new kid on the block. Now that we’ve established a core range to win over traditional beer drinkers, we’re starting to create more adventurous and experimental ales, some with an American influence.’
The decision behind the name of Tweed was encompass the brand’s Cheshire roots. ‘You associate tweed with things such as horse riding and shooting – the full country set,’ said Sam. ‘Tweed is something people also link to good quality, which is what we’re all about. We only use the best ingredients to achieve a really quality brew.’
A number of Cheshire pubs now stock Sam’s flourishing business, as well popular Manchester City centre bars, The Lawn Club and Font. The entrepreneur also hopes to push his brand global by 2016.
What beer you need to try
Winter Tweed. The first ale brewed, this is dark mahogany ale made with chocolate and Munich malts is balanced with subtle hops and a sweet caramel finish.
Newton Business Park, Talbot Road, Hyde, SK14 4UQ
Tel: 0161 368 8608, www.tweedbrewing.com
Brimstage Brewery, Wirral
Founded by Neil Young in October 2006, Brimstage Brewery has become a popular beer brand in the Wirral. With a range of award-winning cask conditioned beers, it’s the first brewery in operation on the Wirral since the closure of Birkenhead Brewery in the mid-1960s.
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Using only the finest ingredients to never compromise on quality, including British grown malted barley and varieties of whole hops from around the world, their range of beers have been championed by a number of recognisable bodies including CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) and SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers). The company have also recently started to bottle their beers and the animals found on their beer designs are often spotted on the Leverhulme land on which the brewery is based.
What beer you need to try
Trapper’s Hat. A fruity session beer, it has been a Champion Beer of Britain finalist in 2009 and 2010 and also awarded a bronze in the Standard Bitters section at the 2014 SIBA awards.
Home Farm, Brimstage Lane, Brimstage, Wirral, CH63 6HY Tel: 0151 342 1181, www.brimstagebrewery.com
Robinsons Brewery, Stockport
A family business that has thrived in Stockport for over 175 years, Robinsons began their journey as brewers when William Robinson purchased the Unicorn inn in 1838. William’s younger son Frederic took the helm from his older brother George in 1859, and by 1890 had established 12 exclusive outlets for Robinsons ale. Today, this has led to an estate of more than 300 pubs across the North West and Wales.
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The sixth generation of the Robinson family now run the award-winning brewery – with their sights set very much on the future. Over £5 million of investment went into a new Brew House in 2012-2013, which includes the world’s largest hopnik (which strains hops to maximise aroma and flavour), a training centre for excellence and visitors centre.
What beer you need to try
Old Tom. Brewed since 1899 and named after the Robinsons’ brewery cat, Old Tom is almost as old as the brewery itself. The dark ale is still brewed by the original recipe and recognised internationally, winning some of the industry’s most prestigious awards including World’s Best Ale in 2007 and 2009.
Unicorn Brewery, Stockport, Cheshire, SK1 1JJ
0161 612 4061, www.robinsonsbrewery.com
Wincle Brewery, Macclesfield
Originally set up at a redundant milking parlour on a working farm set within the Peak District National Park, Wincle Brewery are passionate about creating eccentric English ales - the kind of beer that they love to drink themselves.
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Following an extensive four-month course at Brewlab at the University of Sunderland, owner and brewer Giles Meadows saw his first beer roll off the production line in 2008. Enjoying immediate success and encouragement, the brewery has now moved to a beautiful stone barn in the heart of Wincle. Complete with a new state of the art 15 barrel plant, the team brew flat out five days a week. If you ever visit, keep an eye out for Molly Dog, the team’s brewery dog and occasional van driver…
What beer you need to try
Wincle Waller. A pale ale named after Peter Eardley, the local dry stone waller, this is part of the brewery’s core range. Each of Wincle’s ales gives a local character the opportunity to appear on the pump clip or bottle label, bringing a little personality to the brew.
Tolls Farm Barn, Dane Bridge, Wincle, Cheshire, SK11 0QE Tel: 01260 227 777, www.winclebeer.co.uk
Tatton Brewery, Knutsford
A family-run brewery in Knutsford, Tatton Brewery creates both classic and contemporary style beers. It stemmed from owner and head brewer, Gregg Sawyer, following his calling (and passion) to brew beer professionally and have some fun along the way.
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Available on draught in pubs and events throughout Cheshire, Tatton beers are also available to drink at home in a range of mini pins, pins and cask. Brewed from their custom built modern brewery a stone’s throw away from Tatton Park, their beers are made using traditional local yeast which was revived after 50 years of retirement.
Their logo originates from ancient Mesopotamia, the birthplace of brewing, and depicts a couple sharing beer from a drinking vessel - illustrating the brewery’s ethos that good beer is a social pleasure to be shared with good friends.
What beer you need to try
Tatton Best. A classic light amber coloured best bitter, this ale has won numerous awards including best beer at the first ever Cheshire Country Fair Real Ale competition and a CAMRA Champion Beer of Cheshire silver medal.
Unit 7, Longridge Trading Estate, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8PR
Tel: 01565 750 747, www.tattonbrewery.co.uk
