Nethergate Brewery & Distillery

Traditionally Different Since 1986.
Trusted Independent Brewery & Distillery in Suffolk.

Foundations, fixings, frame and landscaped garden update

New Development

Foundations, fixings, frame and landscaped garden update

Read More
Easter Beer Festival 2026

Events

Easter Beer Festival 2026

Read More

Featured

Venture Point Five

Venture Point Five

Venture Point Five

Low Alcohol

0.5% • Bottle

£2.20 £25.25
Stix Whisky 70cl

Stix Whisky 70cl

Stix Whisky 70cl

Suffolk Single Malt – Small Batch

42% • Bottle

£55.00
Melford's Dry Gin

Melford's Dry Gin

Melford's Dry Gin

Suffolk'S Best Dry Gin

40% • Bottle

£6.50 £40.00
Nethergate Knitted Bobble Hat

Nethergate Knitted Bobble Hat

Nethergate Knitted Bobble Hat

Warm Bobble Knit

£16.00
Nethergate Brewery Tour

Nethergate Brewery Tour

Nethergate Brewery Tour

Discover the Heart of Nethergate

£20.00
Old Growler

Old Growler

Old Growler

Legendary Porter

5.0% • Bottle & Fresh

£2.90 £68.00
New Dawn

New Dawn

New Dawn

Bright Golden Ale

4.0% • Bottle

£2.70 £68.00
Nethergate Membership

Nethergate Membership

Nethergate Membership

Join The Nethergate Family

Gift

£50.00

Suffolk-Born. Character-Brewed.

It Started with a Pint (and a Plan)

Our story began in 1986 in a snug Suffolk tavern. Two old school friends, Ian Hornsey and Dick Burge, found themselves disappointed by the local brews on offer. Armed with Ian’s expertise in microbiology and Dick’s financial acumen, they decided to stop complaining and start brewing. They found a home on Nethergate Street in Clare, acquired a 10-barrel kit, and set out to create a real ale legacy that would do Suffolk proud.

The Legend of the Bulldog

If you know Nethergate, you know Old Growler. Our multi-award-winning porter wasn’t named after a grumpy brewer—it was an homage to Ian’s beloved bulldog, Growler. First poured as a festive special in 1987, this "bulldog with bite" became so popular we never stopped brewing it. Today, it’s a two-time CAMRA Winter Beer of Britain champion and the crown jewel of our brewhouse.

Tradition with a Modern Twist

We respect our roots, but we aren’t stuck in the past. In 2017, we moved to our spacious new home in Long Melford, complete with state-of-the-art kit and our custom copper stills, Bonnie & Clyde. Whether it’s our crisp Nethergate Craft Lager, our adventurous Growling Dog series, or our award-winning Venture Point Five (all the flavor, only 0.5% ABV), we brew every drop with the same "grain to glass" care we started with in ’86.

Join the Family

Nethergate isn’t just a brewery; it’s a community. We’re proud to be one of the friendliest spots in East Anglia, with over 1,100 local members and two welcoming taprooms in Long Melford and Bury St Edmunds. Whether you're here for a brewery tour, a quiz night, or just a quiet pint by the bar, you’re part of the story.

Melford's Suffolk Dry Gin

Nethergate Distillery

A Dry Gin with a Suffolk Twist

Melford's Gin embodies the spirit of Suffolk. This inaugural gin, inspired by the serene landscapes of the Stour Valley, is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation.

Explore Spirits

Upcoming Specials

Copperhead

March

A rich copper ale with grassy, earthy hop aromas and a smooth, rounded finish. Balanced and full-flavoured, it’s a classic pint brewed with care and precision.

Drunken Monkey

March

A distinctive premium golden ale with a gentle malt sweetness and a clean, rounded finish. A smooth, well-balanced, premium golden ale.

Wild Fox

April

A bright, straw-coloured pale ale brewed with Boadicea, Azacca, and Cascade hops. Expect gentle floral notes, a touch of citrus, and a smooth, balanced finish that keeps you coming back.