The Drone Valley Brewery is a unique community brewery – where the profits made from selling their beers are used to support a variety of organisations and charities in and around the Dronfield area.
The Derbyshire Times was invited to visit their tap room, located at the Unstone Industrial Complex along Main Road, Unstone, to learn more about their charitable ethos and the range of events taking place.
5. Fundraising efforts
Elaine said: “Last year, one of our friends, who is in a wheelchair, had an accident - and the air ambulance had to come out and take him to hospital. In July, we did a fundraiser - and £500 went to the air ambulance. When people are having birthdays here, a lot of them are having collections instead of presents - we recently raised £500 for Ashgate Hospice and another £500 to the MND community.” Photo: Brian Eyre
6. Outreach
Elaine said: “We have a long-running relationship with a couple who come here, they’re part of a group called Helping our Ukrainian Friends. At first, we were doing collections and donations. Some people do still bring things down, but taking money across helps - they go around three times a year. We’re having a series of concerts with students from Henry Fanshawe, because they’re looking to raise £600 for a digital sound system.” Photo: Brian Eyre
7. Popular beer
Elaine said: “Our most popular beer is the Derbyshire Blonde. When we’ve gone out elsewhere, I’ve found beers that can match it, but nothing has bettered it. We’ve been brewing that for around four years now. We’ve done different beers since, but that’s our best - it’s a nice light beer. If people are used to lager, that’s the one I would usually suggest when I’m on the bar - it’s an easy transition.” Photo: Brian Eyre
8. Welcoming atmosphere
Elaine said: “A few of the older customers, they remember pub life as it used to be. They said that at a lot of places now, there’s no community - you go in and you don’t know anybody. Here, somebody will start a conversation, then somebody else will join in, and it goes from there. The people here are very supportive of any fundraisers that we do. It helps that, because we brew our own beer and we’re all volunteers, we can keep our costs a little bit lower. Photo: Brian Eyre