Dunkertons Organic Cider
Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham
Founded in 1980 by Ivor and Susie Dunkerton, Dunkertons has earned a reputation as one of the UK's leading organic cider producers. Using carefully selected organic apples and traditional cider-making methods, the family-run business creates a range of award-winning ciders and perries that are enjoyed across the country. Today, the company is led by their son Julian Dunkerton, co-founder of the fashion brand Superdry.
Set within Dunkertons Park on the outskirts of Cheltenham, the cidery has grown into a vibrant food, drink and events destination. Visitors can enjoy fresh cider in the taproom, browse the shop, book guided tours and tastings, or take part in cider and cheese pairing experiences. With a packed programme of live music, seasonal events and independent food traders, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to discover the best of Gloucestershire's cider scene.
Clavell & Hind
Unit 2, Elmstone Business Park, Elmstone House, Cheltenham
Founded in 2018, Clavell & Hind is an independent family-run brewery inspired by the folklore and history of Gloucestershire. Named after the infamous 17th-century highwaymen John Clavell and James Hind, the brewery produces a range of craft beers, from easy-drinking pale ales to rich stouts and its popular Liberty IPA.
In 2023, the brewery relocated to its purpose-built home at Elmstone Business Park, where visitors can enjoy freshly brewed beer in the modern taproom, alongside great food and views across the surrounding countryside. With regular live music, quiz nights, brewery tours and seasonal events, Clavell & Hind has quickly become a popular destination for beer lovers and social gatherings alike.
Brewhouse & Kitchen
The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham and St Anne Walk, Gloucester Quays
Located in the heart of The Brewery Quarter, Brewhouse & Kitchen combines a working microbrewery with a popular pub and restaurant, serving a selection of freshly brewed craft beers alongside guest ales, wines, spirits and great food.
As well as enjoying a pint brewed on-site, visitors can get behind the scenes with a range of beer and brewing experiences, including brewery tours, beer masterclasses and tasting sessions. Whether you're keen to learn more about the brewing process or simply relax with a locally brewed beer, it's a great place to discover Cheltenham's craft beer scene.
Deya Brewery
27 Lansdown Industrial Estate, Cheltenham
Founded by Theo Freyne in 2015, DEYA Brewery has grown into one of the UK's most respected independent breweries, attracting craft beer enthusiasts from across the country to its Cheltenham home. Best known for its fresh, flavourful pale ales and IPAs, DEYA has built a loyal following thanks to its award-winning beers, including the hugely popular Steady Rolling Man.
Visitors can enjoy brewery-fresh beer in the lively taproom, browse the bottle shop and experience a varied programme of events throughout the year. With its reputation for quality brewing and innovation, DEYA has helped establish Cheltenham as one of the UK's leading destinations for craft beer.
Siren Craft Brew
Unit 3, The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham GL50 4FA
Award-winning brewery Siren Craft Brew has brought its independent beer offering to The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham. The venue features more than 30 lines of brewery-fresh beer alongside a carefully selected range of cocktails, wines and spirits, making it a great destination for both craft beer enthusiasts and casual visitors.
Located in the heart of Cheltenham's leisure quarter, Siren Craft Brew is the perfect place to discover new beers, catch up with friends and experience the town's thriving independent drinks scene.
Piston Gin Distillery
Unit 2, Bamfurlong Industrial Park, Staverton, Cheltenham
Piston Gin Distillery offers a hands-on, immersive experience where guests are welcomed with a signature Piston & tonic and guided by a knowledgeable distiller through the art of gin-making. Set at one of ten copper still workstations, visitors begin their journey with an introduction to the history and heritage of gin, tracing its origins from the 1600s to its modern-day revival. The experience includes learning about the distillation process, understanding the role of botanicals, and mastering the equipment to craft a bespoke recipe.
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.
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.
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.