Our Story

Founded in 1994 The Grainstore Brewery Brews Fine Traditional Real Ales. The Biggest Brewery in the Smallest County!

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