Celebrating Preston’s independent breweries for Indie Beer Week

Independent beer at PLAU's The Vaults Pic: Blog Preston — Enjoying an independently brewed beer at PLAU’s The Vaults Pic: Blog Preston

A new UK-wide beer week has been launched by independent beer campaigners.

Indie Beer Week is part of the wider Indie Beer campaign, which shines a light on genuinely independent breweries and makes it easier for consumers to find out what is or isn’t independent.

The campaign started at the end of 2024, while Indie Beer Week launched on Friday 11 April and runs until Sunday 20 April.

An Indie Beer spokesperson explained the reasons behind the campaign: “Independent beer is handmade by real people who truly care about the quality and flavour of the beer they are producing.

“By choosing independent beer you’re not only getting a great tasting pint, but supporting local business, protecting pubs, and making a more sustainable choice.”

In the spirit of celebration, Blog Preston spoke to two of the local independent breweries listed on the Indie Beer brewery checker, Chain House Brewing Co. and Hopworks Brew Co.

But first up, Simon Gooch, aka A Beer in Preston on X and on Instagram shares his thoughts on the scene.

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“I’ve always been a huge advocate for independent breweries as they’re often driven by passion rather than the mass production which invariably leads to a better beer than one brewed as quickly as possible to fill supermarket shelves. The variety of independently brewed beers available in free-of-tie pubs and ale houses, including those in Preston, is just phenomenal and continues to develop.

“We’re incredibly lucky in Preston to now have three really good independent breweries in the area (and many more across Lancashire) when not that long ago there were none. Chain House especially has gone from brewing in a New Longton garage to a fantastic city centre brewery and tap room that became a pivotal part of Preston’s thriving, independent beer scene. It’s also great for the local economy and as a Prestonian, definitely something to be proud of.

“It wasn’t that long ago I’d finish work in Blackpool on a Friday and decide on the train home where I was going for post work beers and end up in Wigan, Lancaster, Manchester and even Leyland because the choice was better than Preston.

“Now the difficulty is choosing which Preston pubs/bars to visit with the Conti, Plug & Taps, Winckley Street Ale House, NIKO, Guild Ale House, The Orchard, Black Horse, Plau, Chain House, Vinyl Tap and The Moorbrook all pouring a plethora of excellent, independently brewed beers from across the UK and beyond. A difficulty I know many others who visit Preston for the beer scene also encounter!”

Chain House Brewing Co.

Established in 2017 in a garage in Longton, Chain House moved to Market Street West in 2022. Visitors to the microbrewery can sample Chain House’s experimental small batch vegan brews at the on-site taproom, which has 15 keg lines featuring rotational house and guest lines.

Ryan Hayes, Owner and Brewer, told Blog Preston what he enjoys most about being independent: “I love having creative freedom. I get to brew beers that excite me, whether that’s a traditional dark mild or a hazy and hoppy pale ale. There’s a deep satisfaction in creating something from raw ingredients and watching it bring people together in the taproom.”

In terms of challenges, Ryan cites costs and competition from multinationals.

“Brewing on a small scale means we don’t benefit from the same economies of scale as the big breweries. The cost of ingredients, energy, and wages all hit harder when you’re independent. We can’t access high-volume discounts, and every price rise squeezes already tight margins.

“On top of that, multinationals are flooding the market with mass-produced beers dressed up to look ‘craft’, often sold at unsustainably low prices.

“So, while you might be able to grab a cheaper beer at a supermarket, buying from an independent brewery supports local people, strengthens the local economy, and helps keep the community vibrant and unique.”

Hopworks Brew Co.

Hopworks Brew Co. is an independent urban microbrewery with taproom located at Walton Summit. Established in 2023, it operates a 10-barrel brewing system, producing a diverse and ever-changing range of beers, including modern pales, sours, lagers, and stouts.

We asked Brewer Chris Griffiths to share the best thing about running an independent brewery.

Chris said: “Honestly, it’s the freedom. We get to brew what we love, not what a boardroom tells us to brew. If we want to try something wild with new hops or bring back a classic style with a twist, we just do it.

“There’s also nothing better than seeing people enjoy our beer right here at the taproom, knowing it was brewed just a few feet away. That connection with our customers and the community of other small breweries is what keeps it exciting.”

And what about the biggest challenges? “There are quite a few at the moment,” said Chris. “Rising costs on everything from malt to electricity make it tough to stay competitive.

“Then there’s the fight for space on the bar or the shelf, which is tricky when the big breweries can afford to dominate both. And let’s be honest, the hospitality industry’s still recovering from a rough few years. But we’re a resilient industry and the passion we’ve got for what we do keeps us pushing forward.”

Asked why people should support their local independent breweries, Chris said: “Because it makes a real difference. Every time you buy a pint from a local indie like Hopworks, you’re helping keep creativity alive in the craft beer world.

“You’re supporting local jobs, backing people who care about quality beer, and helping a proper community who strive to support each other. Plus, you get something unique and full of character often limited small batch beers!”

The Indie Beer campaign was launched by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), a not-for-profit trade association that campaigns for the fair treatment and promotion of independent brewers and supplier businesses in the UK.

The campaign is supported by other beer organisations including the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the British Institute of Innkeeping (Bii), and Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB).

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