Buxton
BUXTON BREWERY’S FIRST EVER BREW WAS MASHED-IN ON A COLD, DARK, JANUARY 1ST, 2009. THE BREWHOUSE WAS THE FAMILY GARAGE AND THE BATCH SIZE WAS ABOUT 40 LITRES.
The resulting Pale Ale was a long way off what Geoff and Rich (the founders) 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.