New community brewery in north Derbyshire to support good causes

Natascha Engel, who represents North East Derbyshire, pulled the first pints at the official opening of the Drone Valley Brewery.

What set out as the idea of a group of friends over a pint has become a reality with six real ales already on offer.

Hundreds of members, local VIPs and publicans turned up to the celebrations which included the chance to sample freshly-brewed real ales.

Run by a group of volunteers, who will invest some of the profits into the community, the brewery is based in a once disused warehouse on the banks of the River Drone, Unstone.

Work on the brewery finished in January and it was granted its brewing licence in March.

Its six ales - Dronny Bottom Bitter; Stubley Stout; Gosforth Gold; Fanshawe Blonde; Coal Aston Porter and Drone Valley IPA - will be available at local outlets and events.

MP Engel said: “It is a real honour to be officially opening the Drone Valley Brewery and to get the chance to try some of their excellent ales.

“I know how much time and hard work has gone into this project and it is great to see it come to fruition. Drone Valley Brewery will be a huge asset to the community of Dronfield and knowing that the profits will be re-invested back into the local area is fantastic.”

The Drone Valley Brewery has financed itself so far on membership fees, shareholdings and donations.

It hopes to attract grant funding at some point but for now is keen to entice even more members to keep it going.

Visit www.dronevalleybrewery.com