6 of the best breweries in Derbyshire

Derbyshire and the Peak District has one of the highest concentrations of micro-breweries in the country, we pick six of our favourite producers that we have visited down the years

Chris Radford at Brampton Brewery (Image: Archant)

Brampton Brewery - Chesterfield

Located in the former East Midlands Electricity Board site on the Chatsworth Business Park on Chatsworth Road, Brampton Brewery was set up in 2009 and resurrected the name of a previous brewery originally located just 200 yards away from the new site.

Brampton Brewery has its own special club - the ‘BBC’ (the Brampton Brewery Club) which has a host benefits including to free quarterly tastings at the brewery and a 10% discount on draught beer & merchandise.

Unit 4 & 5 Chatsworth Business Park, Brampton, Chesterfield 01246 221680 www.bramptonbrewery.co.uk

Michael Wilde at the Whaley Bridge Brewery (Image: Archant)

Whaley Bridge Brewery

The Whaley Bridge Brewery is what the American would describe as a craft brewery, you know that every one of Michael Wilde’s pints has been crafted with almost individual attention.

If you’re eager to sample some of Michael’s beer, your best best is the Drum and Monkey in Whaley Bridge where it’s permanently on tap (if it’s not sold out)

www.facebook.com/WhaleyBridgeBrewery

Alan Palmer outside the brewery with barrels ready to go (Image: Archant)

Bad Ram Brewery, Callow Top Holiday Park

Located a popular and award-winning holiday park, the owner Alan Palmer is able to offer guests at the Holiday Park brewery tours and the public.

On site, as well as at the Callow Inne, you can sample the Bad Ram’s brews at Arnold’s Café bar or from the impressive array of bottles at the site shop

Callow Top Holiday Park, Buxton Rd, Sandybrook, Ashbourne 01335 344020 www.callowtop.co.uk

Steph and Jim at The Falstaff Freehouse and Brewery (Image: Archant)

The Falstaff Freehouse and Brewery, Derby

The Falstaff Freehouse and Brewery is tucked away in the heart of residential Derby, amid a maze of terraces and one way systems and appears to be a traditional back street ‘boozer’ on closer look it’s obvious there’s more to this pub than first meets the eye.

There are tales of ghostly goings-on and the assorted memorabilia and decorations give the bar a feel of a living brewing museum, The Falstaff won Derby CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2010.

74 Silverhill Road, Normanton, Derby 01332 342902 www.falstaffbrewery.co.uk

Brewer Alistair Boyd at Hope Valley Brewery at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall (Image: Archant)

Hope Valley Brewery, YHA Castleton Losehill Hall

A Youth Hostel located at Gothic mansion complete with cobbled mews and stunning gardens is home to the country’s only charity brewery.

Originally set up to offer young people a residential visit to learn about brewing and attain credits for GCSE Science, profits from the beer goes into the YHA’s Breaks for Kids Fund, which provides outdoor and adventurous opportunities for children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.’

Castleton Youth Hostel, Castle Street, Castleton 01433 620235

Pete Nash at Derventio Brewery (Image: Archant)

Derventio Brewery, Darley Abbey

Named after a Roman fort built in Little Chester, Derby around AD52-57, Derventio started brewing in March 2006 from farm buildings on the Trusley estate and now host brewery tours.

Derventio ales are on sale in a number of specialist bottled beer shops in Derbyshire and selected East Midlands branches of the Co-op. A long standing favourite is the Emporers’s Whim Golden Ale.

Long Mill, Darley Abbey Drive, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1DZ 01332 380199 www.derventiobrewery.co.uk

With well over 30 breweries in the region, there a plenty of other places to visit - tell us your favourites, send us a tweet at @derbyshirelife