Nottinghamshire has a long history of brewing which reached a nadir just after the turn of the Millenium by which time, after 50 years of mergers and acquisitions, only one brewery remained in the county. Since then dozens of new breweries have been established – ranging from fairly large commercial ventures to micro breweries serving just one tap.
Traditionally, what made Nottinghamshire distinct in terms of brewing was its unique water, hops and yeast. The North Clay hops grown in Nottinghamshire were famously bitter and suited to producing strong beers that kept well. Tastes changed, however, and demand for North Clay hops declined and they were replaced by the milder varieties from Kent. A testament to their widespread cultivation in Nottinghamshire is that hops can still be found growing wild in hedgerows, gardens and woods, even though they are no longer commercially cultivated.
The Nottinghamshire area can be split into two brewing regions:
South and West Nottinghamshire, which corresponds to the areas of Nottingham, Mansfield, Ashfield, Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe.
North and Mid Nottinghamshire, which corresponds to the areas of Bassetlaw, Newark & Sherwood.
North and Mid Nottinghamshire breweries
Double Top Brewery (Worksop) – brewing temporarily suspended
Springhead was founded by Helen Teasdale and Richard Scragg in 1990 in Sutton-on-Trent, near Newark, and was the smallest brewery in England at the time with a brew length of just 2.5 brewer’s barrels. In 1993 it moved to larger premises and expanded to 10 brewer’s barrels before expanding to 50 brewer’s barrels in 2003. In 2011 it moved to its current location, a converted mill in Laneham. The brewery’s name comes from a bend in the river Trent near the original brewery site.
The brewery is now one of the largest microbreweries in Nottinghamshire, and since 2019 has been owned by local business people. The head brewer is Keir Teasdale, son of the brewery’s founders.
The origin of the name ‘Laneham’ is somewhat obscure. It may derive from the Old English æt Lanum meaning ‘at the lanes’ (the village is named ‘Lanum’ in the Doomesday book). Alternatively, it could derive from the Old English ‘lang’ (meaning ‘long’) plus ‘ham’ (a village or settlement).
Regular beers
Blind Tiger (ABV 4.5%) an English pale ale that has whole oranges added to it to deliver a citrus flavour and dry finish.
Drop O’ The Black Stuff (ABV 4.0%) is an award-winning porter brewed with Maris Otter Pale and Dark malts, roasted barley, aromatic mixed English hops and Nottingham Ale yeast. It is a vegan beer.
Left Lion (ABV 4.0%), named after a famous lion sculpture that flanks the Council House in Old Market Square, Nottingham.
The Leveller (ABV 4.8%) a Belgian-style Trappist ale with a dark, smoky flavour and intense burnt toffee finish.
Maid Marian (ABV 4.5%) is a pale golden beer with a fruity orange aroma and dry peppery finish. It is brewed using Maris Otter malt, Cluster hops and Nottingham Ale yeast, using fresh oranges, coriander and Grains of Paradise. It is brewed in the style of an 18th century beer and was first brewed in 2010.
Outlawed (ABV 3.8%) is an APA with a light, clean and crisp finish. It is brewed with American Centennial and Willamette hops.
Roaring Meg (ABV 5.5%) is a classic IPA with a sweet, citrus honey aroma and a dry finish. Launched in 1990 and named after a cannon.
Robin Hood (ABV 4%) a dark traditional bitter with a good head brewed with Maris Otter Pale, Crystal, and Dark Crystal malts, Northdown hops and Nottingham Ale yeast. Originally brewed to celebrate the film.
Surrender (ABV 4.8%) a blonde ale brewed with Equinox and Cascade hops to give hints of citrus and tropical flavours of papaya and mango. Vienna malt gives it a rich, biscuity finish.
Interesting fact: In 1346 William, a ferryman, took a man called Richard, his horse and his goods across the river at Laneham. Half way across the river William threw the horse and goods into the river, possibly because the ferry was overloaded and there was the threat that the ferry might capsize. Damages to Richard’s property were judged to be 40 marks in the subsequent court case.
Regular seasonal beers and specials
Fancy a pint?
Springhead’s beers are supplied to pubs within a 100 mile radius of the brewery including The Bramley Apple Inn (Southwell) and The Vine Hotel (Newark).
Tours and Takeaways
Bottled beers can be bought from local Co-op and Tesco stores and nationally from Morrisons. The brewery sells direct to the public (bottles, casks and half casks) and has an onsite pub (The Bees’ Knees) and brewery tap (Meg’s Bar). The brewery runs tours (enquire directly) which last about an hour and finish in the brewery tap.
The Idle Brewery is situated in a converted outbuilding behind The White Hart Inn in West Stockwith, next to where the River Idle flows into the Trent. It was established in 2007 with the first brew being Idle Landlord. In 2012 Brian Cooper and his wife Elaine took over the White Hart pub and the Idle Brewery.
West Stockwith, showing the Trent and the White Hart in the distance
West Stockwith is where the Chesterfield Canal and the River Idle meet the River Trent. It’s the start of the Cuckoo Way, a 46 mile walk along the Chesterfield Canal that takes you through the North Nottinghamshire countryside all the way to Chesterfield, with regular pubs along the way and overnight accommodation in Retford and Worksop. West Stockwith itself is well worth a visit with a pretty church opposite the White Hart and a lively boating scene.
West Stockwith takes it name from the Old Norse ‘wath’ meaning ‘river crossing’ (also found in Wath-upon-Dearne). The first element of the name probably comes from the Old English ‘stoc’ meaning village (also found in Stoke-on-Trent and Stoke Poges). It is called ‘West’ Stockwith because it lies on the Western, Nottinghamshire side of the Trent. Across the Trent is East Stockwith on the Lincolnshire side.
Regular beers
Black Abbot (ABV 4.5%) is a dark stout with roasted notes.
Black & Tan (ABV 4.3%) is an old fashioned ale.
Golden Crown (ABV 3.8%) is a golden ale that uses First Gold Hops.
Idle Bodger (ABV 4.0%) is an easy drinking tan coloured bitter.
Idle Dog (ABV 4.2%) is a copper-coloured bitter which is moderately hoppy.
Idle Landlord (ABV 4.6%) is a dark brown bitter with a malty, caramel and coffee flavour.
Idle Sod (ABV 4.2%) is a light golden ale with a fruit aroma flavoured with Cluster Hops.
Idle Tongue (ABV 4.3%) is a blonde and citrusy ale.
The White Hart, behind which is the Idle Brewery
Regular seasonal and specials
Idle Boggin (ABV 3.8%) is a traditional ale with a full flavour and dry finish.
Idle Guy (ABV 4.5%) is a pale amber ale that uses Fuggles Hops.
Idle Santa (ABV 4.5%) is a rich golden ale with refreshing notes.
Fancy a pint?
The brewery tap is the adjacent White Hart Inn which usually stocks a range of beers from the brewery plus guests.
Tours and Take Aways
West Stockwith basin
Brewery tours are offered that last an hour and include four complimentary ales in the White Hart Inn. Brewing days offer the opportunity to learn about the brewing process, to brew ale with head brewer Brian Cooper and to sample some of the ales produced. The Brewery supplies 9 gallon kegs (72 pints) for private events, as well as 5 litre mini kegs (8.8 pints) to take away.
