Thatcham independent Delphic Brewing Company opens for business in Newbury town centre

Newbury’s first microbrewery and taproom celebrated its opening in the town centre at the weekend.

Tom Broadbank, who founded Delphic Brewing Company in 2019, began converting the vacant Motorist Discount Centres in Mayors Lane in February with the aim of producing between 75,000 and 125,000 litres of beer a year.

And now, 20 tins of paint and five skip loads later, the new microbrewery and taproom is open for business.

Mr Broadbank, who started the brewery in a garage in Thatcham, held a soft launch party on Friday for those who bought tickets during his crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than £17,000.

The brewery then held its official public launch on Saturday, drawing crowds of curious drinkers, suppliers and local business owners.

The taproom is furnished with decorative tables and a dartboard, while the ceiling came from an old glider hangar in Compton, Mr Broadbank told newburytoday.

Mr Broadbank brews his handcrafted beers on-site and supplies pubs in Newbury, Thatcham, Reading and Woolhampton.

Each beer name has a meaning, he added, with Best Bitter ‘Level Crossing’ being inspired by Thatcham Level Crossing – claimed to have one of the worst waiting times in the South, but also near to where the brewery was founded.

The taproom is open Fridays from 4pm until 10pm and Saturdays from 11am until 10pm.

Delphic will be releasing the rest of its crowdfunder rewards over the coming weeks.

Those who are able should bring their email confirmation with them to the new taproom to collect their reward.