Beer connoisseurs travel from far and wide to enjoy and celebrate the range of pure Real Ales brewed in the traditional way by "Leatherbritches" the Bentley Brook Inn's on site craft brewery. The brew house is established in the old washhouse and coal store at the back of the Inn where real ales are brewed two or three times each week.

"Leatherbritches" takes its name from an old tradition. Long before the days of scientific analysis and invention of the saccrometer, Ale Conners, who collected taxes for the Crown, needed to check the strength of the beers brewed. They used to pour some of the beer onto a barrel top, sit on it for a while, and, depending on how sticky they felt it to be when they stood up, they were able to asses it's alcoholic strength and impose the appropriate duty. Worsted, cord and even moleskin trousers failed to withstand this onerous duty. Thus leather britches were worn by all the ale conners and they became the mark of their profession.

The Micro Brewery was founded in 1993 the idea of Bill Allingham, the youngest son of the family. Edward Allingham Bill's elder brother has taken over the brewery and runs it as sole proprietor. His Head Brewer is David Corby Bsc. Msc. who copes with the ever-increasing demand for his superb award winning beers. Early in 2002 equipment was purchased to bottle beers as traditional bottle conditioned ales and these together with the original cask ales are sold to over 50 real ale pubs and inns across the country. These premium quality beers are brewed using traditional brewing methods and by using only the finest ingredients. Prime barley malt and hops from English gardens, a proven strain of yeast and a local water source are brought together by the skill of the brewer to give that bespoke flavour that is unique to all Leatherbritches beers. Visits to the craft brewery can be arranged.

 

The Bentley Brook Inn,
Fenny Bentley,
Ashbourne DE6 1LF

Tel UK +44 (0) 1335 350278 Fax UK +44 (0) 1335 350422
Email: all@bentleybrookinn.co.uk