Founded in 1994, The Grainstore Brewery was formed through the collaboration of two friends, Tony Davis formally Head Brewer and Production Director at Ruddles Brewery and Mike Davies of Davro Fabrication. With Tony’s 30 years of brewing experience behind them, and Mike’s engineering and steel fabrication expertise at their disposal, the two set to work on a derelict Victorian grain store situated next to Oakham Railway Station. Following renovation of the building and the lowering into position of the large fermenting vessels, copper and conditioning tanks, the brewery tap opened its doors in September 1994. The 15 barrel brew house plant with its capacity to brew 60 barrels per week, started brewing its first brew, ‘Cooking Bitter’ a few months later. This tradition has since been continued by Tony’s son William Davis and his business partner Peter Atkinson, as the brewery and Tap go from strength to strength.
1994
Brewery Established by ex Ruddles Production Director and Head Brewer Tony Davis and his business partner Mike Davies.
Brewery Tap opened its doors in September.
1995
First Ales brewed, Cooking & Ten Fifty
1999
First Annual ‘Rutland Beer Festival’ takes place at the Brewery Tap
2003
Brewery Tap wins Good Pub Guide ‘Own Brew Pub of the Year’
Ten Fifty wins SIBA Supreme Champion
2005
Rutland Panther wins ‘Champion Mild of Britain’ at the Great British Beer Festival, also placing 2nd in the Overall Competition
2009
Brewery Tap wins CAMRA Pub of the Year
2010
First Annual Cider & Sausage Festival takes place at the Brewery Tap
2011
Brewery Tap wins Good Pub Guide ‘Own Brew Pub of the Year’
2013
Rebranding wins Overall best design at the Annual SIBA Business Awards at BeerX
2014
Tony Davis’s son Will and his business partner Peter Atkinson purchase the brewery
Brewery Tap wins Good Pub Guide ‘Own Brew Pub of the Year’
2016
Brewery Tap wins Good Pub Guide ‘Own Brew Pub of the Year’
Rutland Beast wins Gold at CAMRA Champion Winter Beer of Britain Competition
Brewery & Tap wins CAMRA ‘Special Award’ for 20 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide
2019
Brewery Tap wins Good Pub Guide ‘Own Brew Pub of the Year’
Nip wins Champion Strong Ale at SIBA Annual BeerX
2023
Nip 7.3abv wins SIBA Champion Cask Beer of Great Britain
Brewery Tap Wins Rutland CAMRA Pub of the Year
Rutland Beast 5.3abv & Rutland Panther 3.4abv win Gold Medals at SIBA Midlands Awards