We host over 60 Real Ales from 6 breweries in one year.

Ringwood Brewery

Beer has been brewed in Ringwood for centuries ever since medieval man first mixed the crystal water of the River Avon with the malted barley harvested from the surrounding fertile fields of Hampshire.

The market town was a magnet for merchants and dusty drovers who needed their thirst slaked and whistles wetted before they could get down to the business of bargaining and bartering and many a deal was sealed over a draught and a noggin in one of the many taverns, inns and ale houses, that gave Ringwood one of the highest pubs per head of population in olde England. read more

Jennings Brewery

Founded in the village of Lorton (situated between Keswick and Cockermouth) in 1828 by John Jennings (1783 – 1876), son of William Jennings (1751 – 1848) who was a Malster by trade.

Some oral traditions claim the original brewery in Lorton was either at Scales or High Swinside. Certainly John Jennings (Snr.) lived and farmed at Scales. He also bought High Swinside in 1845, but more probably the brewery first operated in buildings near to the present Lorton Village Hall which was originally built as a malthouse.

John's son, John Jennings Junior (1813 – 1889) was certainly involved in his father's business, but by 1851 John Junior's business was described in the census as thread manufacturer.

The business had outgrown its home-brewed origins in Lorton and there was a need for a larger maltings and a building to house larger fermenting vessels. The nearest market town, Cockermouth, was the ideal base for expansion as it had a larger population with more opportunities to sell beer, and just as importantly the Castle Brewery site had an abundant supply of pure well water which has been used by the Castle as long ago as Norman times. read more

Banks's Brewery

Mr. Thomas Banks, a true West Midlands family man, first established Banks & Co. as a firm of maltsters in 1840, before in 1874 venturing into brewing with his son Henry and two other employees. In 1875 the company founded the now famous Park Brewery on the site of an artesian well in Wolverhampton. This site is still the home of Banks's today, with many of the buildings remaining intact, including the old chimney that can be seen on the city skyline.

Our proud history and heritage isn't confined to our buildings either, even the live strain of yeast in all Banks's cask ales has been in use for over 100 years! read more

Brakspear Brewery

After 16 hours the beer is then allowed to fall naturally or ‘dropped’ into the vessel below. In this process any protein or solid material is left behind in the top-fermenting vessel. In addition the beer is gently aerated. The fermentation then continues in the bottom vessel for a further 24-48 hours. The temperature of the fermentation is controlled and the beers regularly checked. When we judge that the fermentation has reached the right point, the brew is cooled down to stop fermentation at the desired strength and gravity. This cooling and maturation process takes a further 3-4 days.

Brakspear Beers are one of the very few beers in the UK to continue to use the ‘Double Drop’. read more

Wychwood Brewery

Established in 1983 in Witney on the fringes of an ancient medieval forest – The Wychwood, brewers take inspiration from its myths and legends to craft beers full of mischievous character founded by Paddy Glenny located in the town of Witney, Oxfordshire. The company's flagship brand is Hobgoblin, a 5.2% abv ale, described by Wychwood as a "Ruby ale". Wychwood Brewery produces around 50,000 barrels (8,200,000 litres) of cask ale each year, and is the United Kingdom's largest brewer of organic ales.read more

Marstons Brewery

John Marston established J. Marston & Son at the Horninglow Brewery, Burton upon Trent. 1890's Acquisitions in Burton, Hinckley and Coventry expanded the estate and bought pubs with them.1898 Marston & Son Ltd amalgamated with John Thompson & Son Ltd and moved to Albion Brewery, where the company still operates. We brew some of the UK's leading ale brands including Marston's Pedigree, Banks's Bitter, Banks's Original, Mansfield Bitter, Hobgoblin and Ringwood Best Bitter. Our award-winning ales collected five international brewing medals at the Millennium International Brewing Awards. Key developments in the last decade have enabled Marston's PLC to position itself as the UK's premier regional brewer. read more