Core Beers
Our seven core ales. Showcasing the best of British malt & hops. Highlighting the fascinating, vibrant history of Darlington.
We do deliver within Darlington and we only brew small amounts at a time and our supply is very limited.
Due to this please either email, use the contact page or message us your order on social media and we will respond with availability.
Thank You
£4 Each
£11 for 3 £14 for 4 £20 for 6 £38 for 12
Infant Hercules - 4.3% - American IPA
“This remarkable place, the youngest child of England’s enterprise, is an infant, but if an infant, an infant Hercules” William Gladstone 1862. The original thirty-two-acre plot of what would become Middlesbrough; was purchased in a partnership led by Joseph Pease. “Port Darlington” was the first town to owe its existence to a railway, on a ‘turbulent industrial frontier’, as was much of the county at this time. Lower in ABV than other hoppy ales on the market but still possessing Olympian strength in terms of flavour. Dry and refreshing, with huge notes of tropical fruit delivered by British hops.
Quakertown Mafia - 4.3% - Amber Ale
The Quakers of Darlington were enlightened philanthropists and the town flourished due to them. In business, they proved to be a ruthless cabal of Schumpeterian Oligarchs (however this would not fit on a bottle label). They exercised their influence in political and economic spheres with merciless efficiency, they eliminated their nearest competitors, and some claimed that Joseph Pease was attempting to ‘get possession of the county’. It was not uncommon for some businessmen to suffer from “Pease-phobia”. A traditional English IPA, similar in style to those enjoyed during the Quaker dynasty. Pleasing amber malt and equally satisfying British hops with notes of orange and apricot.
Despicable Navvy - 3.8% - Best Bitter
“Whist with yer, or I’ll give yer to a Navvie” was a threat used by mothers of the Leeds & Thirsk railway to keep children quiet. The railway navvies (short for navigator) were an incongruous band of miscreants that snaked the country in a drunken revel rout, constructing the transportation arteries that would power the Industrial Revolution. These men, their families and other railway adjacent workers were indispensable during industrialisation. This beer is an homage to these workers. Soft & biscuity malt juxtaposed by sharp yet thirst-quenching bitterness.
Locking Fitter - 3.8% - English Pale
Named after my late grandfather Roland Johnson, who was a Mechanical Locking Fitter, starting in the S&T Department in the late 1950s working in the Darlington district as an apprentice. He would end up working all over the North East, Midlands and South of Scotland as well as devoting his spare time to heritage railways. In honor of a true gentleman to whom profession and pleasure coalesced so pleasingly. This traditional English Pale Ale has a refreshingly subtle malt profile, balanced by delicate British hops. Not bombastic and over the top, straightforward and to the point.
Melancholy Streams - 4.2% - Wheat Beer
Darlington has a surprisingly rich history of ghostly associations. Particularly around the waters that seamlessly pervade the town, female ghosts have always accompanied the waters of the north. Even today at witching hour you may well see the phantom hellhound thought to roam to woods near Glassensikes. Hob Headless whose spirit was thought to reside in a stone on the road between Hurworth & Neasham. Or Lady Gerard of Lead Yard, still searching for her pilfered limb. In hopes of satiating the dammed, we present this beer. A soft, ghostly white head, mousse-like mouthfeel with delicious munich and wheat malts. Smooth bitterness with notes of vanilla, clove and banana.
Rocket Fuel - 4.7% - Milk Stout
Jet Black, just like the coal that powered Stevenson’s “Rocket” and thrust the country into the industrial revolution. Robert Stevenson’s invention set a benchmark for future steam locomotives which would later be used extensively on the Stockton & Darlington railway. It was an innovation that forever changed the makeup of society and the economies of the countries that were able to exploit the new technology. The machine and the exploitation of its fuel would come to typify employment in the area over the coming decades. As dark as coal, this smooth, sweet and creamy stout offers an explosion of chocolate flavours with complex British hops.
One Lord & His Fox - 3.8% - Red Mild Ale
Darlington’s burgeoning railway enterprise experienced bitter opposition early on, Lord Darlington wasn’t happy that his fox coverts would be disturbed by the original line. So great was his love of fox hunting that he attempted to bankrupt the town’s Quaker bank to stop it. He succeeded in diverting the S&D railway and in a second survey the line was to avoid Lord Darlington’s estates “as far as practicable”. For the enterprise that almost never was, due to these unwitting crimson activists. Robust and satisfying toffee & caramel malt flavours pair effortlessly with fruity British hops. Creating a smooth traditional mild with a deeply satisfying red hue.
