Cheers to Bucks’ best local tipples

Round & About

Raise a glass to Buckinghamshire’s brilliant breweries, distilleries, and vineyards serving up local flavour this festive season

May I raise a toast? Please join me in raising a glass to our local alcohol producers! Bucks’ brilliant breweries, distilleries and vineyards are clinking glasses with cheers to another great year of home-grown flavour.  

From ales to guarantee a hoppy Christmas to festive spirits and local ciders, here’s our merry meander through the producers within cork-popping distance. 

When Keith Hodgskiss moved to the Chilterns last December, he fell for its rolling hills and hidden producers – and soon launched Chiltern Safaris, offering immersive tours of the region’s vineyards and artisans (see our article). Originally from South Africa, he’s passionate about showcasing local vineyards that reflect the character of the Chiltern chalklands terroir, including Dropmore Vineyard in Burnham, where owner Feona crafts elegant English still and sparkling wines from hand-tended vines. Over in Seer Green, Woodfine Wines showcases winemaker Richard’s passion for natural wines which are served at Michelin-starred restaurants, while at Daws Hill Vineyard in Radnage, traditional-method sparkling wines fizz with local spirit. “Visitors don’t just taste the wine,” says Keith “They meet the people who make it.” The final Chiltern Safaris tour of the year, on 6th December, promises a festive taste of the Chilterns. Visit chilternsafari.com. Other Bucks vineyards worth a toast include Marlow’s Harrow & Hope in and new MIssenden vineyard Vyn Dene (also see our article). 

Nothing says “Bucks born and brewed” like Vale Brewery, which was founded in 1995. “We’ve always been independent and family-owned,” says MD Joe Brouder. “We brew beers at our site in Brill that bring people together: always beautifully balanced, accessible, and packed full of flavour.Our shop is open through the week with draught and bottled beer, gifts sets which make perfect presents. Why not join us for a beer? We have food trucks, brewery tours and live music at weekends, and our taproom is open 3-8pm on Fridays, 12-7pm on Saturdays and 12-4pm Sundays.” Visit valebrewery.co.uk  

Other breweries worth celebrating include Rebellion Beer Co in Marlow (look out for the festive specials), XT Brewing Company in Long Crendon (with lots of seasonal brews), Westcott-based Boobytrap Brewery & taproom and SOX brewery and taproom. 

More of a cider drinker? For those who like a pint with purpose, Prestwood’s own Mind’s Eye Brewery was founded to raise awareness and funds for mental health causes. James MacLarnon’s “cider for sanity” initiative proves that doing good can taste good, too. Over in The Lee, The Chiltern Cider Co keeps things simple and delicious with their small-batch apple magic, handcrafted from locally picked fruit. Staying with apples a moment, a toast to 102-year-old Babcia, the inspiration behind Rythmik’s Spiced Apple Pie cocktail (see our separate article). An Amersham-based family business, Rythmik continues to showcase inventive, locally inspired cocktails, bringing a touch of seasonal warmth and flavour to every sip. 

Bucks isn’t short of spirit… Griffiths Brothers Distillery creates elegant small-batch gin and has joined forces with another local producer Creative Juices Brewing Company a craft beer brewery and taproom. Just over the border in Tring, Puddingstone Distillery is home of the award-winning Campfire Gin range which includes the Pud Pud, made with Bucks cherries, to “add a touch of warmth and authenticity to your festivities”.  

The Marlow Distillery brings riverside charm to life with flavour-packed spirits. And Coombes Gin is a local passion project earning fans for its bold botanical blends while Wolf Eye Gin celebrates wild botanicals for the perfect sip.