East Lancashire is very fortunate to be the home of around 20 real ale breweries. These range in size from national suppliers Moorhouses & Thwaites, smaller micro-breweries including Hopstar & Northern Whisper, as well as nano/pico breweries Peregrine and Snaggletooth. Between them they brew many fine cask conditioned ales, including some former Champion Beer of Britain winners, whilst also embracing the craft & keg beer market.

12 Steps (Darwen) ***brewery currently mothballed***
Started brewing September 2021. The name comes from the number of steps to the cellar of the Bird in th'hand pub in Darwen where a 2½BBL plant is used.

Address: 12 Steps Brewery Ltd, Bird in th'hand, 225 Duckworth Street, Darwen, BB3 1AU
Tel: 07926115292

4Mice (Bolton-by-Bowland)
Small micro-brewery based within the Coach & Horses in Bolton-by-Bowland, where beers are only available on the bar.

Address: Coach & Horses, Main Street, Bolton-by-Bowland, nr Clitheroe, BB7 4NW
Tel: 01200 447331
Web: www.coachandhorsesribblevalley.co.uk

BB18 Brewery and Tap (Earby)
Steven and Linda Pickles, who used to run Picks Brewery in Accrington, created a new home brew brewery and tap bar in Earby in late 2020, after installing a 5-barrel plant which was previously at the Whitstable Brewery in Kent.

Address: 31/33 Victoria Rd, Earby, Barnoldswick BB18 6UN
Tel: 07908 591343
Web: coachandhorsesribblevalley.co.uk
Email: moc.liamg@gniwerb81bb
Facebook: bb18brewingCo

The Beer Shack Brewing Company (Clitheroe)
First brewed in late January 2022 on-site at the pub of the same name

Address: The Beer Shack, 22-24 King Street, Clitheroe, BB7 2EP
Tel: 01200 426368
Email: ku.kcahsreebeht@ofni

Big Clock (Accrington)
After reopening the previously boarded up Hargreaves Arms in 2000, Justin Grant was so successful in reintroducing real ale to Accrington it made Grants Bar the go to place. Following on from that success, in March 2014 using a 6BBL plant housed in the back rooms of the 200-year-old pub, Big Clock brewery was born. With bottles stamped ‘Made in Accrington’ the towns name was well and truly back on the map.

Address: Grants Bar and Brewhouse, 1 Manchester Road, Accrington, BB5 2BQ
Tel: 01254 393938
Web: thebigclockbrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.oohay@yrewerbkcolcgib
Facebook: grantsbarandbrewhouse

Bowland (Clitheroe)
Established by Richard Baker in 2003 who started life brewing on a one Brewers Barrel (BBL) plant, formerly used by Picks Brewery, in a store room at the Bashall Barn farm shop a few miles North West of Clitheroe, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Brewing was briefly transferred to an industrial unit in Accrington in late summer 2003, using the 5-barrel plant which was previously at the Fuzz & Firkin, Southsea, to allow for structural work to be carried out in what used to be the farm's milking parlour at Bashall Barn, where they returned to in January 2004. In 2014 the brewery was bought by brothers James and Andrew Warburton and in July 2016 the brewery relocated to Holmes Mills in the centre of Clitheroe, a Grade II listed site dating from 1823 which has lain empty since the 1970’s, where they now use a 30-barrel plant together with a nanobrewery for experimental brews. The site features a beer shop and beer hall with 42 handpumps on the longest bar in the UK featuring beers from Lancashire and beyond.

Address: Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe, BB7 1EB
Tel: 01200 443592
Web: bowlandbrewery.com
Email: moc.yrewerbdnalwob@ofni
Facebook: bowlandbrewery
Twitter/X: BowlandBrewery

Brewsmith Beer (Ramsbottom – by virtue of just a few streets just in our area and not the Rochdale, Oldham & Bury branch area)
First brewed in July 2014. Brewsmith Beer is a 10 barrel microbrewery, based in the picturesque village of Ramsbottom, Bury brewing quality cask and bottle conditioned beers..

Address: Brewsmith Beer Limited, Unit 11 Cuba Industrial Estate, Bolton Road North, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 0NE
Tel: 01706 829390
Web: www.brewsmithbeer.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.reebhtimswerb@ofni
Facebook: Brewsmithbeer
Twitter/X: Brewsmithbeer

Hopstar (Darwen)
In 2004, Barry Tyson started brewing on a 2.5-barrel plant, based in the garage at the back of his home, as a hobby to produce some great local beers using only the finest ingredients. The enjoyment came in producing good quaffing ale where folk come back for more and have won over 20 awards nationwide. The brewery relocated to a to a new unit in 2010 and expanded to a six-barrel plant and started suppling more than 100 outlets around Lancashire and the Greater Manchester area, along with the Number 39 Hopstar Brewery Tap in the heart of Darwen town centre. PLEASE NOTE - The brewery tap is a separate business from the brewery.
*update May 2024 - they no longer brew at the larger unit and have relocated back to the original site

Address: Rear of 11 Pole Lane, Darwen, BB3 3LD
Tel: 07933590159
Web: hopstarbrewery.co.uk
Email: moc.liamtoh@yrewerbratspoh
Facebook: hopstarbrewery
Twitter/X: OfficialHopstar

Moorhouse's (Burnley)
Originally established in 1865, to brew hop bitter for the Temperance market, and is still on the same historic site as William Moorhouse’s original brew house built in 1870, in the shadow of Lancashire’s famed Pendle Hill. They switched to producing cask beer in 1978, and after a succession of owners failed to realise the potential of the company, Bill Parkinson took over in 1985, since when the brewery has grown substantially. A modern brewhouse was installed in 1988, additional fermenters in 1991, new warehouse in 1995 and two further new 30-barrel fermenters in 2000, there followed a significant investment in 2010 with a new cutting edge brewhouse and visitor centre opening in 2012.

Address: 4 Moorhouse Street, Burnley, BB11 5EN
Tel: 01282 42286
Web: moorhouses.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.sesuohroom@ofni
Facebook: moorhousesbrew
Twitter/X: Moorhousesbrew
Instagram: moorhousesbrew

Northern Whisper (Cloughfold)
Began brewing in 2017 in a 10-barrel brewery, on a site which was part of the premises owned by slipper wholesalers, Response Footwear, in Cloughfold, near Rawtenstall, nestled in the Rossendale Valley. Set up by Carmelo Pillitteri, a go-ahead and adventurous brewer who previously ran the Fighting Cocks brewery out of the rear of Nino’s restaurant in Cliviger, along with brothers Josh and Barney Vines, who regularly collected spent grain from Carmelo’s brewery to use for cattle feed at the Kiln Clough farm in nearby, Helmshore, where an annual beer festival is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend. They have tap room in the centre of Rawtenstall.

Address: Hill End Mill, Hill End Lane, Cloughfold, Rossendale, BB4 7RN
Tel: 01706 230082
Web: northernwhisperbrewingco.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.ocgniwerbrepsihwnrehtron@olleh
Facebook: northernwhisperbrewingco
Twitter/X: WhisperNorthern
Instagram: northernwhisperbrewingco

Oscar's (previously Hart of Preston) (Nelson)
Small family run brewery which relocated to Nelson in February 2019 from Preston, Lancashire. They supply Lancashire, Cumbria and all of Yorkshire. Their beers are cask conditioned and available in 9 Gallon casks or pins to meet each publican needs. They aim to alternate their beers every 4-5 months to keep up with the demand for different ales, and to also bring on seasonal special beers.

Address: Unit 1 Riverside Works, Brunswick Street, Nelson, BB9 0HZ
Tel: 01282 616192
Web: oscarsbrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.reeberihsacnal@selas
Facebook/X: OscarsBrewer

Patron's Tap (Guide, Blackburn)
First brewed in July 2023 in the micro brewery in the back of the pub

Address: 3 School Ln, Guide, Blackburn BB1 2LW
Tel: 07873 570051
Facebook: Patron's Tap
Instagram: patrons_tap

Red Rose Brewing (Lower Darwen)
Started test brewing on a very small scale on a ½BBL plant in October 2002 at a location close to the Royal Hotel, Great Harwood. A 2½BBL plant was installed in the cellar of the Royal Hotel during December 2002 with the ½BBL plant sold to Hopstar Brewery. The brewery relocated to industrial units, first in 2005, and then again in 2008 following an upgrade to a 10BBL setup, before moving back to the Royal Hotel. Brewing ceased in Summer 2010. After quite a hiatus they started brewing again in May 2020 in Ramsbottom before relocating Lower Darwen in late 2023. .

Address: Brookmill Complex, Branch Rd, Lower Darwen, Blackburn, Darwen BB3 0PR
Tel: Peter on 07966 169628 / 01706 827582
Web: redrosebrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.yrewerbesorder@reeb
Facebook: redrosebrewery
Twitter/X: RedRoseBrewer
Instagram: redrose_brewery

Reedley Hallows (Burnley)
Commenced brewing in 2012, and quickly built an excellent reputation for their range of craft produced beers, they then moved to a to larger premises in 2015 with a 3.5-barrel plant and nine fermenters to cope with demand. Pete Gouldsborough, the owner and head brewer (and former head brewer of Moorhouse’s) has earned some of the highest accolades within the brewing industry, including Champion Beer of Great Britain, 5 Gold Medals at the international brewing awards, and a beer that was voted ' The Best Beer in the World' The New Brew’m micropub in Burnley is the brewery tap run by his wife Sharon Gouldsborough.

Address: Unit B3, Farrington Close, Farrington Road Industrial Estate, Burnley, BB11 5SH
Tel: 07749 414513
Web:
Email: info@reedley-hallows-brewery.co.uk
Facebook: reedlybrew

Rossendale (Haslingden)
Started brewing in 2007 after acquiring the pub, and 8-barrel brew plant and based in the cellar, which was previously used by Porter Brewing Co at the same location since 1994. Initially, the beers were badged as Pennine Ales and may still be seen under that name sometimes.

Address: Griffin Inn, 84 Hud Rake, Haslingden, BB4 5AF
Tel: 01706 214021
Web: rossendalebrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.yrewerbeladnessor@tcatnoc
Facebook: GriffinRossendale

Snaggletooth (Darwen)
Established in 2012 by three beer geeks with a passion for crafting ales. Cuckoo brewing using a 2.5-barrel plant previously used Hopstar (before they moved to a new site)) which is used to produce small batch cask/bottle conditioned real ale. Rumour has it, if the Snaggletooth doesn't like it, it doesn't get sold!

Address: Rear of 11 Pole Lane, Darwen, BB3 3LD
Tel: 07810 365701
Web: snaggletoothbrewing.com
Email: moc.liamg@elahtootelggans
Facebook: SnaggletoothBrewing
Twitter/X: SnaggletoothAle

Three B's (Blackburn)
Founded in 2001 by Robert Bell, whose love, dedication and over twenty years’ experience in the art of traditional beer making, is embodied in the beers produced. Only the finest ingredients are used, with no artificial additives, producing beers to satisfy the most sensitive and discerning palates.

Address: The Black Bull, Brokenstone Rd, Darwen, BB3 0LL
Tel: 01254 581381
Web: threebsbrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.yrewerbsbeerht@ofni
Facebook: ThreeBsBrewery
Twitter/X: ThreeBsBrewery
Instagram threebsbrewery

Three Peaks (Moved to Kelbrook)
Commenced brewing May 2021 in Nelson on a 5BBL plant which was previously located in Settle from 2006-2020 (The previous owner/brewer decided to retire but has since come out of retirement to help brew). Relocated to new premises in late 2023/early2024

Address: Unit 6 Holt Court, Pendle Street, Nelson, BB9 7EB (new address yet to be confirmed)
Tel: 07779 097792
Web: threepeaksbrewery.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.yrewerbskaepeerht@olleh
Instagram: threepeaksbreweryltd

Thwaites (Mellor Brook)
Founded in 1807, Thwaites brewed in the centre of Blackburn until 2018 when it moved operations some five miles away to a rural site in the Ribble Valley. Brewing takes place on a 20-barrel plant and is exclusively for the company's own properties.

Address: Myerscough Road, Mellor Brook, Blackburn, BB2 7LB
Tel: 01254 686868
Web: thwaites.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.setiawht@gnitekram
Facebook: ThwaitesBeerandPubs
Twitter/X: ThwaitesBrewery
Instagram: thwaitesbrewery

Unbound Brew Co. (Colne)
Opened in February 2021 and the only brewery in Colne. Owned and operated by Frazer Lowley and built around a 10 brl plant, beers tend to have some unique ingredients (eg tea infusion) and have outdoor themed names. Beers are mainly canned but occasional cask is produced. Occasionally found in the nearby Admiral Lord Rodney pub. .

Address: Unit 4 Calder Mill, Colne, BB8 8EU
Tel: 07886062825
Web: unboundbrew.co.uk
Email: ku.oc.werbdnuobnu@rezarf
Facebook: unboundbrewco
Twitter/X: unboundbrew
Instagram: unboundbrewco

Whitworth Valley Brewing (Whitworth)
Commenced brewing on 1st September 2023 using the former premises and plant of Mighty Medicine Brewing Co. A tap room is attached to the brewery which hosts pop up events

Address: Unit 4, Daniel Street, Whitworth Lancashire OL12 8BX
Tel: 07377 127887
Email: ku.oc.gniwerbyellavhtrowtihw@selaS
Facebook: Whitworth Valley Brewing

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Information on closed or relocated breweries from around East Lancashire over CAMRA's lifespan can be found here

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Please note some of the information on this page is taken from www.quaffale.org.uk

Quaffale is a not-for-profit site run by enthusiasts, be they in the industry or just like a drink, for enthusiasts that aims to present the visitor with a resource that is one of the most up to date lists of UK based Real Ale Breweries available on the Internet.

(Updated 20th May 2024)