I love it when a plan comes together.
On this occasion, the plan in question was a boozy trip up to Sheffield with a group of old school friends. Officially, we were there to visit one of our own, doing his best to avoid real life at the university, but I had intentions of visiting as many beer-focused venues as I could over the course of the weekend.
Imagine my delight, therefore, when Buxton Brewery announced it would be opening its new Tasting Room at the brewery site over the course of three weekends in December. I instantly snapped up seven tickets (at a modest price of £7, which included two 2/3rd pints on site), and coerced two of my traveling companions into driving us over to the brewery.
The journey to Buxton over The Peak District is nothing short of spectacular. Rolling hills, glistening with fresh snowfall, draw our gaze and occasionally (much to our alarm) the gaze of our driver. Blistering winds buffer at our tiny vehicle as we maneuver through the winding mountains and icy roads, taking in the beautiful vistas before us. Arriving at the brewery site, on an industrial estate a short distance outside of the spa town, is a bit of a disappointment (until, of course, we head inside to try the beers).
Buxton Brewery was founded in 2009, at the height of the recession, by Geoff Quinn and has quickly established a name for itself as one of the leading lights of the UK craft beer scene. It’s flagship beer, Axe Edge, is widely considered to be a near-perfect execution of the West Coast IPA style, whilst the brewery has also drawn plaudits for its experimental ice cream series and imperial stout, Yellow Belly Sundae, both of which are made in collaboration with Swedish brewers Omnipollo.
Entering the brewery, you are greeted with a similar scene you would encounter in most medium sized craft breweries. Tall silver fermentation vessels and old oak casks are dotted around what is essentially little more than a large shipping container.
Head upstairs, however, and you will find a cosy and welcoming tasting room, overlooking the brewery site. Six taps pour kegs of Buxton’s core range of beers, whilst there is also an extensive bottle list featuring all of the aforementioned collaborations with Omnipollo. The Axe Edge has never tasted fresher, and yes, I did buy a bottle of Yellow Belly. The tasting room has clearly proved popular, as the brewery has recently announced it will be opening again for the last two weekends of January.
Having already persuaded two of my companions to drive us over from Sheffield, I feared my chances of visiting the brewery’s ‘official’ taproom in the town centre, the only place in the UK where Axe Edge is served on cask, were slim at best. Imagine my delight, therefore, when one of the drivers announces he is quite keen to have a look around the historic spa town, and suggests we head in and stay for some dinner.
I love it when a plan comes together.
