Ashover Brew Co is launching a new tap room in Matlock, with The Castle opening its doors to customers on Friday, October 30.
The Derbyshire Times was invited to visit the venue and learn more about the brewery’s plans – which include breathing new life into an empty Clay Cross pub– and these photos offer a glimpse inside Matlock’s latest bar.
5. Expansion across Derbyshire
Andy said: “We opened our Derby tap room back in June, the Matlock tap room is opening on Friday, October 30, and the Clay Cross one will follow in a few weeks time.” Photo: Brian Eyre
6. Perfect place to launch
Andy said: “Matlock is a thriving Derbyshire town that is really popular with both tourists and locals. You get a lot of trade from walkers as well. It made a lot of sense to have a base here, and when the opportunity came up to take over a bar that was historically really busy and in a prime location in the town, it leant itself really well in terms of us establishing a footprint here.” Photo: Brian Eyre
7. Celebration after opening the doors
Andy said: “We’re planning to have a three day launch event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We’ve got live bands for each of those nights to mark the fact that the bar has been known for live music - that’s something that we want to re-establish. There’s an acoustic night on the Friday, a full live band on the Saturday, and a country music solo act on the Sunday. We’re trying to showcase different genres of music and make it a proper party weekend.” Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Exciting food on offer
El Chappo currently operate at Cambridge Street Collective in Sheffield and the Gorilla Beer Hall in Mexborough - and will be serving up a range of Mexican classics from the kitchen at The Castle. Andy said: “We’re very excited that the incredible El Chappo will be joining The Castle as our permanent food offering in the kitchen, bringing their superb blend of burritos, tacos and much more.” Photo: Brian Eyre