From heritage cellars and riverside taps to farmyard stills and boundary-pushing craft beer, Northamptonshire pours a lot into your glass. This guide highlights the county’s breweries and distilleries with essential details for planning tastings, tours and laid-back pints. Always check opening hours, tour dates and booking policies before you go, and remember many venues are working production sites with limited public access.
Breweries and distilleries in Northampton (historic cellars, modern craft and urban tastings)
Phipps NBC (The Albion Brewery Bar)
Address: 54 Bridge Street, Northampton NN1 1PA
Website: phipps-nbc.co.uk
Victorian brewing revived in a handsome town-centre brewhouse with a bustling taproom.
Home of classic Northampton ales and seasonal specials, Phipps pairs living history with lively pints. Look for brewery tours, cask-ale showcases and occasional courtyard street food.
Breweries and distilleries around Towcester & South Northants (courtyard taps, canals and craft spirits)
Towcester Mill Brewery
Address: 163-165 Watling Street, Towcester NN12 6AU
Website: towcestermillbrewery.co.uk
Characterful mill-building brewery with a friendly taproom and courtyard.
Brew days scent the air by the River Tove. Expect core cask ales, small-batch specials, quiz nights and pop-up street food. Tours and tasting events appear through the year.
Wharf Distillery (formerly Towcester Distillery)
Address: High Street, Potterspury, Towcester NN12
Website: wharfdistillery.co.uk
Independent grain-to-glass distillery producing gin, rum, whisky and liqueurs.
Look for hands-on experiences such as gin school sessions and small-group tastings. Local botanicals and limited runs keep things interesting for return visits.
Silverstone Distillery
Address: Silverstone area, Towcester NN12
Website: silverstonedistillery.co.uk
Small craft distillery inspired by the surrounding countryside and motorsport heritage.
Expect refined gins and seasonal editions. Tour and tasting availability varies – check dates and book ahead, especially on race weekends.
Catanger Llamas – Farm Shop Spirits (local collaborations)
Address: Wappenham Road, Helmdon NN13 5TU
Website: llamatrekking.co.uk
Rural farm stop stocking Northamptonshire small-batch spirits.
While not a distillery, it’s a handy countryside spot to pick up bottles from local makers alongside produce after a llama trek.
Breweries and distilleries around Kettering, Corby & North Northants (heritage, indie craft and farmyard stills)
Potbelly Brewery
Address: Telford Way Industrial Estate, Kettering NN16 8UN
Website: potbellybrewery.co.uk
Community-minded microbrewery turning out reliable cask and keg favourites.
Known for crowd-pleasing bitters, stouts and easy-drinking pales, Potbelly pops up at local festivals and pubs. Look for open nights and takeout direct from the brewery.
Kings Cliffe Brewery
Address: West Street Industrial Estate, Kings Cliffe, Peterborough PE8 6XB
Website: kcbc.co.uk
Well-made traditional ales from a village brewery with an on-site shop.
A staple for fans of classic English styles. Grab fresh bottles, mini-casks and seasonal brews when you are passing through the north-east of the county.
Warner’s Distillery (formerly Warner Edwards)
Address: Falls Farm, Harrington, Northamptonshire NN6 9NU
Website: warnersdistillery.com
Field-to-bottle gin distilled on a family farm with tours and nature-rich gardens.
One of the UK’s best-known craft gin producers, Warner’s runs polished tours and tastings that weave in farm walks, bee-friendly planting and thoughtful cocktails.
Breweries and distilleries around Wellingborough & the Nene Valley (taps by the river and indie brewers)
Saxby’s Cider
Address: Grange Farm, Irchester Rd, Farndish, Wellingborough NN29 7HJ
Website: https://www.saxbyscider.co.uk/
Based at Grange Farm in Northamptonshire, Saxby’s produce award-winning ciders made from their own orchard apples and real fruit juices.
Nene Valley Brewery (Oundle Wharf)
Address: Oundle Wharf, Station Road, Oundle PE8 4DE
Website: nenevalleybrewery.com
Modern craft brewery famed for hop-forward pales and gluten-free recipes.
Brewed just over the county line but part of the Northants beer circuit for many drinkers, NVB’s tap and shop at the Wharf are easy to reach from East Northants for fresh cans and pints.
Breweries and distilleries around Daventry & West Northants (country pubs, canals and small-batch spirits)
Roman Way Brewery (check current opening)
Address: Daventry area, West Northamptonshire
Website: romanwaybrewery.co.uk
Traditional ales with a local heritage twist.
A name long associated with West Northants brewing. Check social channels for availability, tap takeovers and where to find the latest casks.
The Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne – Local Spirits & Beer Stockists
Address: Bridge Road, Stoke Bruerne, Towcester NN12 7SE
Website: canalrivertrust.org.uk
Not a producer, but a handy heritage stop that often stocks Northamptonshire bottles.
Pick up gifts from county distillers and breweries in the shop, then enjoy a towpath pint nearby. A good add-on to canal days.
Tasting tips: Many small producers open limited hours or for pre-booked tours only. Designate a driver, bring growlers or mini-cask orders if offered, and keep an eye on social feeds for fresh releases and pop-up events. If you discover a new Northants maker we have missed, tell us and we will add them.
