News On Tap
The Best Craft Beer in Birmingham: A Guide to the City's Independent Breweries
Birmingham's craft beer scene has been evolving fast since around 2016, and the "second city" now backs up its beer with real substance. Rather than crown a single "best" brewery, here's an overview of the independent names shaping Birmingham's beer scene today, and what makes each one worth seeking out.
The Stirchley Beer Mile
Birmingham's Brewing Heartland
A huge amount of Birmingham's brewing energy is concentrated in Stirchley, a suburb south of the city centre that's earned the nickname "the Stirchley Beer Mile" thanks to the cluster of breweries and taprooms packed into its industrial units.
Birmingham Brewing Company
One of the breweries that helped put Stirchley on the map, Birmingham Brewing Company brews gluten-free, vegan beer using 100% renewable energy. Its cans are now stocked across independent pubs and bars throughout the city, and its taproom, open Fridays and Saturdays, sits right on the brewery floor.
Attic Brew Co
Attic Brew Co began life exactly as its name suggests: founder Sam started home-brewing in the attic of his student house after meeting co-founder Oli at Cardiff University. The pair opened their Stirchley taproom on 23 November 2018, and Attic has since grown into the largest independent brewery in the West Midlands, brewing a fully vegan range.
Beer Meets Street Food
The Indian Brewery Company
What started as a small brewery producing a handful of beers grew into one of Birmingham's most recognisable independent names once founder Jaspal Purewal introduced Birmingham Lager. The Indian Brewery Company was the first street food bar of its kind in Birmingham, pairing its own craft beer with Indian street food, and its beers are now stocked in bars, restaurants, and even Harvey Nichols.
Just Outside the City
Green Duck Brewery
A short drive from Birmingham in Stourbridge, Green Duck has become a flagship name across the wider West Midlands beer scene. Known for hop-forward, approachable beers across cask, keg, bottle and can, its beers are widely available in bars and taprooms throughout Birmingham itself.
Why It Matters to Us
Birmingham Beer, Straight From the Source
Just as with our work with Manchester breweries, we're always looking to bring beer from cities like Birmingham directly into our Brewery Showcase Boxes, sourced straight from the independent breweries making it.
"Birmingham's beer scene has grown from a handful of pioneers into a city that can genuinely stand alongside Manchester and London."
Common Questions
Birmingham Craft Beer: Your Questions Answered
What is the "Stirchley Beer Mile"?
It's the local nickname for the stretch of Stirchley, a suburb south of Birmingham city centre, that's home to a cluster of independent breweries and taprooms, including Birmingham Brewing Company and Attic Brew Co.
Which is the largest independent brewery in the West Midlands?
Attic Brew Co, founded in Stirchley in 2018, has grown into the largest independent brewery in the West Midlands.
Is there a brewery that combines beer with Indian street food in Birmingham?
Yes. The Indian Brewery Company, founded by Jaspal Purewal, was the first street food bar of its kind in Birmingham, pairing its own craft beer with Indian street food.
Can I buy Birmingham craft beer online?
Yes. We stock beer from independent breweries across the UK, including the West Midlands, as part of our rescued stock and Brewery Showcase Boxes, available to order online.
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Shop Brewery Showcase Boxes →Here's to the second city's second-to-none beer scene.