The UK does more than its fair share of great beer, as this week’s Great British Beer Festival shows. From well established brands to smaller craft brews, the country has been producing top-quality pint for centuries. Many breweries offer visitors the chance to explore the history of beer making, as well as the latest modern developments in the process, with visitor centres and guided tours of their premises. If you’re fond of a cold one, why not plan a little UK brewery road trip, and sample the variety this island has to offer? Here are some of the best visitor-friendly breweries in the UK:
Fuller’s Griffin Brewery, London
This brewing site has been active for 350 years, and Fuller’s beer has the name and the fame to show for it. As one of the most popular breweries to visit, Fuller’s Grifffin has got the full guided tour down to a tee. Stay in one of our Travelodge London hotels for a night and you can learn how one of the capital’s breweries has become such an institution over the years.
Wadworth, Devizes
With so many pubs in the area sponsored by the brewery, this chunk of Wiltshire is nicknamed Wadworthshire. If you want to find out what that means, head to the historic town of Devizes and visit its brewery’s new visitor centre. While 6X is the beer you’re most likely to recognise, the brand produces a whole bunch of seasonal and specialty beers too. Just be warned – you probably ought to leave an extra 10 minutes to drive around the town, as you might get stuck behind one of the horse-pulled carts they still use to move and deliver barrels. Stay in our Devizes hotel to be right near Wadsworth’s headquarters.
Black Isle Brewing Company, Inverness
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Organic beer? Yep, that’s what’s on offer at Black Isle Brewing Company. Making some of the UK’s finest organic beer, this is the place to go for those who love all things natural. The brewery will take you round a tour of their premises, before giving you a taste of the final product, and the opportunity to buy a whole lot more of it in their shop. Stay in our Travelodge Inverness hotel to have a clear conscience as you drink some planet-friendly pints.
St Austell Brewery, St Austell
With a host of tourism awards under its belt, this Victorian brewery’s visitor centre should shoot to the top of your list of places to visit. Not only is there a whole lot of history to learn, and a great family-run feel to the place, but there is also a gastro pub attached that will serve you some hearty food to go along with your brew. Book a room in our St Austell hotel to combine this visit with some sightseeing in beautiful Cornwall.
Castle Rock, Nottingham
Another hallowed name in the brewing world is Castle Rock, and you’ll find their headquarters in the famous city of Nottingham. Just to add an interesting twist on a brewery tour, Castle Rock’s are conducted by Nottingham’s official Robin Hood. Stay in our Nottingham Central hotel for the chance to visit and learn how the Merry Men liked their beer.
