MASHAM - 20 MINS FROM PATELEY BRIDGE
Theakston
Brewery
Independent family brewers in Masham since 1827. The Theakston Visitor Centre offers guided tours through the Victorian brewery, the chance to watch the last working cooper in Yorkshire, and the full range of ales in the on-site tap room. Home of Old Peculier - one of the most famous ales in England.
Visit information
- Address
- The Brewery, Masham, Ripon HG4 4YD
- From Pateley Bridge
- 20 minutes via Nidderdale lanes or B6265
- Visitor Centre
- Open daily - check theakstons.co.uk for tour times
- Tours
- Guided brewery tours available. Book in advance recommended.
- Brewery Tap
- On-site bar serving the full Theakston range
- Brewery Shop
- Bottles, gift packs, merchandise available in-store and online
- Website
- www.theakstons.co.uk
BREWING LEGENDS SINCE 1827
The story of Theakston
The Theakston family began brewing in Masham in 1827, when Thomas Theakston set up a brewery to serve the town's growing population. The brewery remained in family hands until 1987, when Scottish & Newcastle acquired it. The family bought it back in 2003 and it has remained independent since.
The brewery at Masham is the original site, with brewing vessels that date from the Victorian era still in daily use. The building itself is part of the attraction - a working Victorian brewery that has kept its character while modernising where necessary to keep the beer consistent and the business viable.
The brewery tour
The mash tun and coppers
The heart of the brewery, where Theakston has been brewing since 1875. The original Victorian brewing vessels are still in use, giving a sense of continuity that modern breweries cannot replicate. The tour guides explain the process from grain to wort clearly and without condescension.
The Cooper's workshop
Theakston is one of the very few breweries in England that still employs a working cooper - a craftsman who makes and repairs the traditional oak casks used for conditioning real ale. Euan Findlay, the Theakston cooper, is something of a local celebrity. Watching him work is genuinely fascinating even if you have no particular interest in barrels.
The cellars
The Victorian cellars beneath the brewery where the beer conditions and is stored before dispatch. Cool, stone-vaulted and atmospheric. The guide explains how real ale differs from filtered and pasteurised beer in practical terms that make sense.
The Brewery Tap
The tour ends in the on-site tap room, where the full range of Theakston ales is available. The space has the feel of a proper pub rather than a tourist attraction - dark wood, real fires in winter, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that suits the end of a tour.
The beers
Old Peculier
The beer Theakston is famous for - a dark, rich ale with a complex malt character that has been brewed in Masham since the 19th century. The name comes from the Peculier of Masham, an ancient ecclesiastical court. A Yorkshire institution.
Best Bitter
The everyday Theakston ale - a classic Yorkshire bitter, amber in colour with a clean bitter finish. The beer that most people who grew up in the north of England will have known from the pub.
Lightfoot
A lighter, golden ale with a more modern character. Named after the legendary brewer who kept the Theakston tradition alive during the years when the brewery was owned by Scottish & Newcastle.
Seasonal and limited
The brewery produces seasonal ales and special editions throughout the year. The tap room at the visitor centre typically has the widest range available, including beers that never make it into bottles or wider distribution.
MASHAM TOWN
Two breweries in one town
Masham is remarkable for having two major independent breweries within walking distance of each other. Black Sheep Brewery, founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston (a member of the family who sold Theakston in 1987), also has a visitor centre and tap room. Visiting both on the same day is perfectly feasible and very popular.
The town itself has a large market square - one of the finest in the Dales - and a good range of independent shops and cafes. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday. The town is worth an hour of exploration before or after the brewery visit.
Groups and private tours
Pre-booked groups of 15 or more enjoy discounted travel and a variety of catering options. Private tours and charter options are available - contact the Visitor Centre to discuss requirements. The brewery also accepts school visits and community group bookings.