Bank Top Brewery is an independent brewery in Bolton, founded in 1995 and regarded as the town's oldest operating brewery. Since 2002 it has been based in a Grade II-listed former tennis pavilion in the Bank Top area of Bolton, where its custom-built 11-barrel brewhouse produces a range of traditional cask ales alongside bottled and canned beers. The brewery also operates its own estate of pubs across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
Brewery story
Bank Top Brewery was founded in Bolton in 1995, taking its name from the former mill village of Bank Top in the north of the town. From the beginning, the brewery has focused on producing traditional ales with an emphasis on consistency, quality and straightforward brewing.
In 2002 the brewery moved into its distinctive home at The Pavilion on Ashworth Lane. The picturesque Grade II-listed former tennis pavilion houses a custom-built 11-barrel brewing plant, from which Bank Top says it produces an average of around 22,000 pints each week.
Bank Top expanded beyond brewing with the formation of Bank Top Brewery Estates. The Brewery Tap in Astley Bridge opened in April 2010 as the estate's first pub, followed by The Ale House in Horwich in December 2013 and Old England Forever in Clayton-le-Moors in April 2019.
The brewery's pubs follow a modern interpretation of the traditional British local, deliberately dispensing with televisions, jukeboxes and fruit machines in favour of beer, conversation and relaxed surroundings. Each venue regularly showcases Bank Top's cask ales while also keeping a handpump dedicated to guest breweries.
Today, Bank Top continues to brew from its historic Bolton home, producing its established range of cask ales as well as bottled and canned beer for customers further afield. Its combination of traditional brewing and its own pub estate has helped the brewery maintain a strong connection with drinkers across Bolton and the surrounding area.
Taprooms
Bank Top has 3 taprooms to visit. Explore each location for addresses, directions and opening-time information.
Taproom 1
68-70 Belmont Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton, BL1 7AN
Bank Top Brewery Tap was the first pub to join the brewery's estate, opening in April 2010 in Astley Bridge. Taking a modern approach to the traditional pub, it focuses on conversation and beer rather than televisions, jukeboxes or fruit machines. Its handpulls rotate through Bank Top's range of cask ales alongside a dedicated guest beer, while the wider drinks selection includes traditional cider, continental lager, wine, bottled beer, gin and spirits.
Taproom 2
36 Church Street, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6AD
The Ale House in Horwich became the second pub in the Bank Top Brewery estate when it opened in December 2013. The traditional-style pub regularly pours Bank Top cask ales alongside a changing guest beer, complemented by cider, continental lager, wine, bottled beer, gin and spirits. Located around two miles from Bolton Wanderers' home ground, it is also a popular destination for football supporters before and after matches.
Taproom 3
13-15 Church Street, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, BB5 5HT
Old England Forever in Clayton-le-Moors joined the Bank Top Brewery estate in April 2019 as its third pub. Like its sister venues, the pub showcases Bank Top's cask ales on handpump alongside a dedicated guest beer and a wider selection of cider, continental lager, wine, bottled beer and spirits. It is also conveniently located just over a mile from Accrington Stanley's football ground.
Independent
