Taproom focus with Charlie Docherty

SIBA’s Business Development Officer highlights some of the best taprooms from across the UK…

Name: Thornbridge Brewery

Founded: 2005

Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire

Taproom Hours: Open every day, 12-9pm (Open until 11pm Fridays and Saturdays)

Thornbridge’s story has been told so many times, and by people more knowledgeable than me on the subject (and I say that having worked for them for two years), but few would argue that over the last 18 years there has been another brewer that has produced a wider range of styles to such a consistently high quality. The brewery is located on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Bakewell in Derbyshire, having relocated from an outbuilding on the grounds of nearby Thornbridge Hall in 2009.

Thornbridge’s taproom is in its third iteration, each bigger than the last, matching Thornbridge’s growth since its foundation in 2005. During the pandemic, the taproom moved into a new unit adjacent to the unit housing their main 50Hl Brewkit, and it is a cavernous space that it shares with the brewery’s smaller, original brewkit, that is still brewed on regularly. The taproom itself does a great job of making an industrial space a nice place to have a drink, with a full array of pub chairs, sofas, high stools, church pews and barrels, all bathed in the orange glow of a huge ‘Home of Jaipur’ neon sign. The branding of Jaipur, Thornbridge’s flagship 5.9% ABV IPA is elsewhere on the wallsincluding the (slightly dented) door of a Jaipur branded rally car.

The taproom opens at midday, seven days a week, and is always busy. It’s been successful at attracting customers from outside of the beer bubble, which is essential given its relatively rural location. At midday during the week, you might find hikers rewarding themselves with a pint (the hugely popular Monsal Trail, which follows the path of a disused railway line through the Peak District’s Limestone Dales, is nearby). In the summer months, holidaymakers to Bakewell can be seen taking part in ‘The Thornbridge Experience’, a short film on the history of Thornbridge, followed by a tutored tasting. On Friday afternoons, you’ll probably spot a sizable number of the brewery’s production team, as well as locals swinging by to pick up a 12 pack of Jaipur or Lukas for the weekend. If you’re coming from Sheffield, which is the nearest train station, there’s an hourly bus that drops you off a five minute walk from the brewery. Thornbridge’s venues are developing a reputation for their pizzas - they’re an excellent accompaniment to a couple of pints, and the taproom is no differentan oven in the corner is near-constantly churning out pizzas. Off to one side, there is a shop which offers cases of Thornbridge’s full range at the same price as their (SIBA Business Awards 2023 nominated) webshop. Along with their taproom, Thornbridge have five pubs in and around Sheffield, as well as outposts in Leeds, York and Birmingham, which are also well worth a visit.

My recommendation for a first pint? Brother Rabbit is a 4% ABV Golden Ale that benefits from a lemony hit of Mount Hood Hops, an unfashionable American hop that is descended from Hallertau Mittelfrüher.