Independent craft brewery founded in Alton in 2021 by Nick and Rob. Beginning in a converted shed, Rural has grown from small test batches into a core range of beers, seasonal releases and high-profile collaborations, including beers created for nearby Alton Towers.
Brewery story
Rural Brewing Co began in Alton in 2021 when Nick and Rob transformed Rob's shed into a tiny brewery. After renovating the space and working through a series of test batches, they developed the beers that would form the foundations of Rural's range.
The brewery grew quickly from its homemade beginnings. Its signature Pale Ale found an early home at Alton's White Hart pub, while American Pale Ale, IPA, Best Bitter and lager followed as Rural developed a broader core range. The original brewery was eventually expanded to twice its size to create more brewing capacity and room for experimental releases.
Rural's connection with its hometown has also led to a particularly fitting partnership with nearby Alton Towers. In 2023 it created the Laugh & Scream lager for the theme park's Oktoberfest, followed in 2024 by Nemesis Nectar, a limited-edition beer produced for the launch of the rebuilt Nemesis Reborn ride.
The brewery entered another chapter in 2026, moving beyond the shed where it started and into a new brewhouse in a converted barn behind The White Hart in the heart of Alton.
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Location
Rural is based in Staffordshire, England.
Inglenook, Hurstons Lane, Alton, ST10 4AP
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