'Taste the beer right where the magic happens' - Up Close with Leamington independent brewery and taproom
"Taste the beer right where the magic happens" is the message from a local brewery which has just celebrated a year since opening its new taproom
With custom built booths, a six-line tap line and a range of drinks from a variety of local producers, the Windmill Hill Brewery opened its new bar for the first time in spring 2024 after a major renovation project.
Now open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the taproom offers locals the perfect chance to try one of the brewery's extensive range of beers, right where they are produced in the heart of Leamington Spa.
Windmill Hill was first launched by father-of-three Gavin Leach in 2017 in his garage, before moving to a farm near its namesake Chesterton Windmill and then to its current home under the arches at the Victoria Business Centre near Leamington Railway Station.
And now Gavin and taproom manager Ben Cowan are encouraging locals to support local and come to see where the magic happens.
"We are in Leamington's secret underbelly in a way, and we really like that," Ben told Nub News.
"A lot of people stumble across us, or hear by word of mouth, but now we want to spread the word and get more people down here to enjoy our fantastic taproom.
"This urban, industrial side of Leamington maybe doesn't get the love it deserves, but this is a fantastic place.
"This road is a fantastic suntrap, it's a great place to come for a drink on the weekend, or even after work on a Thursday and Friday.
"And the taproom is something completely different to elsewhere locally where you'll just be drinking the same off the shelf beer everyone sells."
Having recently launched its new Thursday night opening hours, the taproom has also rolled out a series of events including live music, and a successful first comedy night.
An immersive film club is also held regularly, live sport shown and of course the brewery tours remain a popular fixture.
"We want to make this place more interesting than just sitting in a bar," Gavin explained.
"As well as the live music and the comedy, we also have arcade games, board games, and even a cornhole game.
"We regularly have people coming down on a Saturday who just spend the whole afternoon having a few beers, enjoying the sun and playing some games."
Larger scale events are also planned for this spring, and tie into the brewery's mantra of 'Think Local. Drink Local.'
On Sunday 4 May the 'Off the Rails' street festival returns, bringing together a number of the independent businesses on Neilston Street for an afternoon of music, food, beer and fun.
That will be followed by the brewery's own 'Brewstock' free music festival at the end of the month which will showcase local talent as well as the best of Leamington's award-winning brewery.
"Ours is a community who love our 'secret South Leam' location under the train arches, dance and be merry at our monthly festivals, with street food and entertainment, making Windmill a unique place to drink where the magic [brewing] happens," Ben continued.
"Think local. Drink local. That is the message we want to send to the Leamington public, and that is what the two festivals are all about.
"The street will be shut off to cars, covered in tables and filled with people enjoying music from original local bands, and supporting some fantastic local businesses.
"By supporting a local, community, independent business, you breathe more life into that area. That is what we want to do in South Leamington."
Now producing around 3,300 litres of beer under the arches every week, Windmill Hill has a range of 10 vegan friendly beers which now also includes a non-alcoholic IPA.
The taproom also gives a 10 per cent discount to students and is considering a similar offer for local businesses which it wants to encourage down for an after work beer on Thursdays and Fridays.
And when asked what sets the venue apart from the range of local watering holes, Ben explained: "An exceptional, memorable experience requires something different.
"Leamington and Warwick have dozens of pubs and bars, but what draws in our regular customers at the Windmill Hill Brewery and Taproom, is the promise of a 'secret Leamington', and an alternative to the white stuccoed, Regency provincial, largely corporate-owned pubscene.
"It's a place where you are hosted and welcomed by someone with an intimate knowledge of the beer, who can actually add to your experience.
"And when you are sitting enjoying a beer, looking right at the kit it is actually brewed on, you feel really connected to what you are drinking."
To find out more, head to the website here, or follow the brewery on Instagram here.
The Windmill Hill Brewery and Taproom sponsors Leamington Nub News.
Without community-minded partners like them, we would not be able to provide clickbait free news to the people of Leamington Spa.
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