Burton upon Trent was once the undisputed brewing capital of the world with over thirty breweries producing their renowned Burton ales using water from the gypsum-rich local sandstone. Stronger ales were exported to India and Russia while lower strength session ales were drunk by manual workers of the Midlands.

Built in the 1870s, the Tower Brewery building had a large steam pump which drew the water from the Walsitch borehole beneath, into the tank room above, which then supplied the Walsitch Maltings.

Converted into a brewery by John Mills in 2001, he’s continued the Burton ale brewing tradition.

Over a period of nine months and with a lot of hard work, John and his father Geoffrey converted the handsome water tower, in which the brewery is now based.

Steeped in brewing history and known as Walsitch Maltings, the tower was built in the 1870s by Thomas Salt & Co Ltd., and later in 1927 owned by Burton brewers Bass & Co.

With the conversion finished and the building returned to its former heritage, production began on 10th April 2001.

Aided by the height of the tower, which uses gravity to feed the Grist case and supply the water pressure, John has gone on to create award winning beers and the hard work has paid off with a Civic Society award for the restoration of an industrial building.

You can now sample the unique atmosphere, (along with the beer!) through John’s knowledgeable tours or by hiring the venue for your own event.