Breweries & distilleries

The insider’s guide to the independent drinks scene in Cheltenham & Gloucester

If you enjoy a refreshing pint of beer or a sophisticated G&T, Cheltenham and Gloucester’s artisan brewers and distillers produce a wide range of delicious drinks to tempt your taste buds.

Whether there’s something in the water or an all-embracing atmosphere of hospitality and conviviality across Cheltenham and Gloucester, there’s an abundance of artisan breweries, cider houses and distilleries in this part of the UK, many of which have won national awards.

Several of Cheltenham and Gloucester’s brewers and distillers welcome visitors to their premises to maybe enjoy a drink in their taprooms, see how their products are made or even have a go themselves.

And look out for locally made beers, ciders, and spirits at farmers’ markets, with Gloucester’s taking place every Friday from 9am to 3pm at The Cross and Cheltenham Farmers Market every second and last Friday of the month from 9am to 2pm along The Promenade, and at specialist beer shops such as Favourite Beers in Hewlett Road, Bath Road Beers and The Drinks Agency, all here in Cheltenham.

An ale or gin-themed break is a must for both connoisseurs and those who enjoy trying something new and different and is another great reason to Escape the Everyday in these hidden gems in the South West of England.

So, read on below for our insider’s guide to the eclectic local drinks scene in this part of Gloucestershire, featuring the tastiest tipples and the coolest hangouts across the two destinations.

Images feature (top left) apple pressing at Dunkertons; siblings at our local gin distillery - Sibling Distillery (bottom left); pint of DEYA beer being pulled (right)

Battledown Brewery

Battledown Brewery, Coxhorne Farm, Cheltenham

Spring water brings a new level of freshness to beers produced by the Battledown Brewery. Founded in 2005 by Roland and Stephanie Elliott-Berry, this company has recently installed new kit that allows it to create an amazing selection of beers. The range includes the bold, sharp, and hoppy ‘London Road IPA’; ‘Tipster’, which is hoppy and bursting with citrus flavours, and the robust and well-rounded ‘Original Ale’. Battledown offers brewery tours and has its own shop. Why not make a day of it and visit the Sibling Distillery, run by Roland and Stephanie’s offspring.

Sibling Distillery

Sibling Distillery, London Road, Charlton Kings

Brothers and sisters Felix, Clarice, Cicely and Digby Elliott-Berry take gin-making very seriously, creating their vodka from scratch before vapour infusing it with delicate and distinct flavours. Try Sibling Original Gin, which is renowned for its modern, fresh profile with subtle notes of fresh citrus and a light juniper lead, with distinctive tones of vanilla and blueberry, or Sibling Negroni, which is inspired by the classic cocktail famous for its bitter but balanced flavour. The distillery also makes spring, summer, autumn, and winter editions that ring the changes throughout the seasons. Sibling offers regular distillery tours and has an onsite shop.

Dunkertons Organic Cider

Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham

Juices from distinctively flavoured organic apples and pears are hand-blended at Dunkertons state-of-the-art cidery to make its award-winning Soil Association-certified ciders and perries. Founded by Ivor and Susie Dunkerton in 1980, Dunkertons is now run by their son Julian, who co-founded the fashion label Superdry. Visit the taproom, with its street food, music and firepits; book a tour and cider & cheese pairing, take part in a cider masterclass or peruse the shop.

Brennen & Brown

Unit 2C, The Bramery, Cheltenham

One man’s quest to enjoy a gin with a predominant flavour of ginger led to the founding of Brennen & Brown. Since then, this Cheltenham distillery has expanded its repertoire to include a variety of flavours, including Pumpkin Spice, Cucumber & Dill, Colonial Gin with French Juniper and various limited editions such as Sloe & Plum, Black & Red Cherry and Plum & Damson. Brennen & Brown offers gin-making and tasting experiences.

Gloucester Brewery and Fox’s Kiln Distillery

Gloucester Brewery, West Quay, Gloucester

Located at the picturesque Gloucester Docks, Gloucester Brewery’s reputation for eco-friendly fine ales has led it to garner several awards, including a SIBA gold medal for its premium keg lager in 2022. Founded in 2011 by chef Jared Brown, the brewery makes everything from traditional classics, such as its Gloucester Gold, to India Pale Ales (IPAs). Fox’s Kiln is based at a former docklands malt house close to the brewery and takes its inspiration from Gloucester’s heritage and the glorious Cotswold countryside on its doorstep. Its range includes classic, pink, blood orange and rhubarb & ginger gins. Gloucester Brewery’s ales and gins from Fox’s Kiln can be enjoyed at Warehouse 4, a new taproom and shop at Gloucester Docks. Brewery tours and beer tastings are offered on the second and last Thursday of the month.

Deya Brewery

27 Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham

For those who enjoy beers that offer freshness and clarity of flavour, Deya Brewery in Cheltenham is a must. Theo Freyne’s interest in American beer and culture led him to set up his brewery specialising in traditional British styles and mixed fermentation ales. His range, which includes ‘Steady Rolling Man’, ‘My Life in the Sunshine’ and ‘Invoice Me for the Microphone’ has a focus on soft and intense hoppy flavours. Visit Deya’s two taprooms and look out for various events.

Prescott Brewery

Farm Park Industrial Estate, Evesham Road, Cheltenham

Ales from Prescott Brewery are described as ‘Great British lubricants’ that evoke the golden age of motorsport. Founded in 2008, its best seller is the pale ale ‘Hill Climb’, inspired by the world-famous Prescott Hill Race Circuit and the winner of a national championship gold medal from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). Prescott Brewery uses water from a borehole and sources its rich malted barley and flavoursome hops as locally as possible.

Images feature Brewery Day at Brewhouse & Kitchen, Cheltenham (left); taps at Brewdog (top right); tour around Dunkertons cider distillery (bottom left)

Steeplechase Distillery

Montpellier, Cheltenham

The new kid on the blocks is gaining a devoted following for its range of gins that pay homage to the history and heritage of horse racing. Traditional methods are used to create the uncompromising flavours for which Cheltenham-based Steeplechase Distillery is quickly becoming renowned. Its range includes its London Dry Gin, winner of gold in the 2022 World Gin Awards, which counts Norway spruce among its core botanicals, and Kauto Dry Gin, which uses kaffir lime leaves, stem ginger, pink peppercorns, heather and lavender to create a contemporary flavour. Steeplechase Distillery offers tours, a tasting room and a bar.

Brewhouse & Kitchen

Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham and St Anne Walk, Gloucester Quays

The popular microbrewery and pub chain Brewhouse & Kitchen needs no introduction to its many fans across the UK. This company has branches in Gloucester Quays and Cheltenham and offers a range of activities, including a brewery experience day, beer masterclass, whisky and beer pairing and gin tasting masterclass.

Brewdog 

The Brewery Quarter, Henrietta Street, Cheltenham

For lovers of craft beer, Brewdog in Cheltenham offers some 30 lines. These include ales made by Brewdog itself as well as its favourite local guest breweries.

Loving local – the best of the rest

If you’re out and about in Cheltenham and Gloucester, look out for other spirits with close links to the area. These include Neptune Rum, which makes the multi-award-winning Barbados Gold, along with the Caribbean Spiced speciality infusion. British Polo Gin, an organic drink made in small batches by artisan makers. The Boutique Distillery, which produces small-batch, hand-crafted Cotswold Dry and Raspberry & Hibiscus Gins and Haka Rum, and Cheltenham Gin, which uses local spring water and eight hand-selected botanicals.

• Neptunerum.com
• Britishpologin.co.uk
• Theboutiquedistillery.com
• Cheltenham-gin.co.uk

There's many more great bars and pubs to explore in Cheltenham as well. Check out our guides for all the best Beer Gardens in Cheltenham, Cocktail Bars in Cheltenham and Wine Bars in Cheltenham. Or why not peruse our specially curated Cheltenham & Gloucester Weekend Itinerary to help plan an action packed weekend in Gloucestershire.