A MICROBREWERY WITH A BIG AMBITION
Tollgate Brewery blends time-honoured brewing methods with a modern approach to flavour, producing characterful ales brewed for today’s drinkers.
Founded in 2005 on the historic Woodville site of Brunt, Bucknall & Co., once known as the Wooden Box Brewery, Tollgate marked the return of brewing to Burton after more than 170 years. The brewery takes its name from the famous toll booth that once stood between Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Burton-upon-Trent, a landmark that gave the area its enduring name.
In 2012, Tollgate Brewery relocated to the National Trust’s Calke Abbey Estate as part of the Estate’s initiative to bring brewing back to the site. Following new ownership in 2016, the brewery continues to operate from a restored nineteenth-century farm building, running a traditional six-barrel brewhouse that respects its heritage while producing beers with contemporary appeal.
The National Forest
Recognised as one of the most ambitious and imaginative regeneration projects in the country, The National Forest is 200 square miles of mixed habitat forest, huge green lungs that have breathed life into a landscape and transformed communities and lives.
Farmers have become foresters and children have experienced forest schools with over 9 million trees planted to date. The National Forest is right in the heart of the country, embracing 200 square miles of the Midlands. It spans parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire and aims to link the two ancient Forests of Charnwood and Needwood. With a history of coal mining and heavy industry, the landscape is now that of rolling farmland, ancient forests and new planted woodlands. Its main towns and villages include Burton upon Trent (famous for its brewing), Coalville and Swadlincote (formerly associated with the clay and coal mining industries) and the historic town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
As part of this partnership we brew 4 beers to celebrate the National Forest and their ongoing effort and support in environment regeneration in our area. Every time a pack of National Forest beers are purchased, a donation is made to the National Forest.
For more information visit www.nationalforest.org
The National Trust
A brewing tradition on the Calke Abbey estate.
Brewing has been a longstanding tradition on the National Trust’s Calke Abbey Estate, dating back several centuries. In the 1800s, one of the primary reasons for brewing was to provide beer for the Estate workers, who were allocated approximately 5-6 pints each day. With the Estate staff numbering close to a thousand in the summer, the brewing operation was substantial. The prevailing belief at the time was that drinking beer contributed to good health, while water consumption often led to illness.
The former Brewhouse, where this historical brewing took place, is now accessible to the public at Calke Abbey as part of the house tour. The traditional equipment, though now somewhat dilapidated, stands as a testament to the brewing legacy. For additional details, visit the National Trust website at nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey.
In our commitment to waste minimization, we conscientiously manage the by-products of our brewing process. Striving to be an environmentally conscious business, we repurpose the ‘waste’ from each brew. Barley remnants left in the mash tun are transported to the nearby farm, less than half a mile away, where they are mixed with silage and used as feed for the pigs. The farm, in turn, supplies meat to the National Trust Calke Abbey Estate kitchens, located another mile away. Used hops are also repurposed on the Calke Abbey Estate, enriching the compost heaps for the gardeners. Spent hops, known for their acidity, are a valuable addition to compost. Feel free to help yourself to any leftover hops at the brewery.
