Thornbridge

Thornbridge is a Derbyshire craft brewery founded in February 2005 by Jim Harrison and Simon Webster, known for its American-style IPAs and with an alcohol-free range that extends its core beer styles. The first beers came from a 10-barrel brewery at Thornbridge Hall, and the flagship IPA launched later in 2005. A 30-barrel facility opened in Bakewell in September 2009, followed by three further expansions over the following decade, a canning line in 2019, and a Taproom using the original Hall kit that opened during the pandemic.

The brewery exports to more than 35 countries, having first entered international markets through Italy, and as of 2015 operated 12 pubs. A new London site has since opened.

The alcohol-free range covers IPAs, pale ales, and hazy session beers, suited to sober-curious drinkers who want the variety of a full craft range. Orange peel features in one of the pale ales, and Galaxy hops are used in a session IPA produced in collaboration with an outside partner.

In 2024, Thornbridge recommissioned the only remaining working Burton Union set, a fermentation arrangement in which beer is fermented across a union of linked casks, with backing from Brooklyn Brewery and equipment sourced from Marston's.

At a Glance