About
When you’re looking for a great beer experience in Suffolk, look no further than the Briarbank Brewing Company. Set just moments from the historic waterfront, in the heart of Ipswich, our award-winning, independent microbrewery and bar was established in May 2013, and we’ve been creating beers ever since.

The craft of beer-making is hard at work at the Briarbank microbrewery. Located in a light and open setting that was once occupied by Lloyds Bank, here you’ll witness our head brewer blending traditional methods with bold new flavours and techniques.

With a two-barrel (BBL) system that’s powered by electricity rather than by gas, we have the capacity to brew over 350 litres – that’s eight casks – at any one time.

Brewing two to three times every week, and with four fermenters on our line, we can produce four different beers at any one time – certainly a unique brewery operation in Ipswich.

Note - Rob, the long term brewer, left early in 2026. Briarbank beers are currently not being brewed at Briarbank. They are being brewed at Chevallier Brewing Company.
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Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Grapefruit IPA from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
6.8/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 8 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6
1/9/2018. Cask at Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours hazy pale amber with a small foamy off-white head. Aroma of citrus, grapefruit, hops, toffee and grass. Moderate sweetness, medium bitterness. Moderate body, slight oily texture, average carbonation. Slightly soapy finish but decent otherwise.
Tried from Cask on 02 Sep 2018 at 21:28
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Hobo's Gold from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
7.1/10 — Appearance 6 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Cask at Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours hazy amber with a lasting frothy off-white head. Aroma of caramel, hop, citrus, tropical fruit and straw. Moderate sweetness, medium to heavy bitterness. Medium body, slight oily texture, soft carbonation. Bitter finish. Good brew.
Tried from Cask on 05 Mar 2018 at 18:52
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Trial Brew Raspberry Milk Stout from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
7.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Cask at Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours almost black with a lasting bubbly tan coloured head. Aroma of milk chocolate, raspberry ripple ice cream, light roasted malt and sweet milk. Medium plus sweetness, light bitterness. Medium plus body, velvety texture, very soft carbonation. Sweet chocolate and raspberry finish with some increasing bitterness. Very good, one of the best I've had from Briarbank.
Tried from Cask on 03 Feb 2018 at 14:22
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Port Porter from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
7.1/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 8 Overall 6.5
Tap at Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours almost black with a lasting creamy off-white head. Aroma of moderate chocolate, malt, light roasted coffee, vanilla and dark fruit. Moderate sweetness and bitterness. Medium body, smooth texture, soft carbonation.
Tried from Draft on 01 Dec 2017 at 13:40
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Trial Brew Strong Belgian Ale from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
7.6/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7.5
Tap at Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours mid to dark brown with a ruby tint and a long lasting creamy pale beige head. Aroma of dark fruits, yeast, malt, nut, moderate roasting and a hint of chocolate. Moderate sweetness, medium bitterness. Full bodied, slick texture, soft carbonation. Malty, nutty, chocolate finish. Almost the best beer I've had from Briarbank.
Tried from Draft on 27 Oct 2017 at 09:01
Mr_Pink_152 (18280) reviewed
Milk Stout from Briarbank Brewing
8 years ago
7/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 7
Tried at the Nottingham Beer Festival 2017. Almost black colour with a small tight tan head. Aroma and taste are sweet roasted malty, light caramel and chocolate. Medium to full body.
Tried on 14 Oct 2017 at 12:36
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Black Horse Stout (Oak Aged) from Briarbank Brewing
9 years ago
7.5/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 8 Texture 8 Overall 7
Draft at the Briarbank. 75th Batch Anniversary Edition, 5.1% compared to the normal 4.3%. Jet black with a lasting thick cream coloured head. Aroma of chocolate, light roasting, malt, vanilla, light coffee, with sherry notes. Served cold which suppressed the aroma which slowly developed its roastiness. Medium sweetness and developing bitterness. Full bodied, slick texture, soft carbonation. Good brew and better when it had warmed a little.
Tried from Draft on 28 Sep 2017 at 12:35
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Spiced Pumpkin Ale from Briarbank Brewing
9 years ago
4.5/10 — Appearance 4 Aroma 5 Flavor 5 Texture 4 Overall 4
Tap at the Briarbank, Ipswich on 4/11/2016. Uptappd it but neglected to add to RB, shame on me. Now corrected. Halloween special release. Poured slightly hazy dark amber with minimal off-white head. Aroma is an odd fruity, spicy, pumpkin, floral mix. Medium sweetness, light bitterness, touch of sour. Light body, slight oily texture, flat carbonation. Maybe not on best form? If it's rebrewed for 2017 will try it again.
Tried from Draft on 21 Sep 2017 at 17:38
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Trial Brew Coconut Porter from Briarbank Brewing
9 years ago
6.9/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 8 Flavor 6 Texture 6 Overall 6.5
Tap at the Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours dark mahogany brown with a creamy lasting off-white head. Aroma of chocolate, coffee, malt, dark fruit and light coconut. Medium plus sweetness, light roasted bitterness. Medium body, slick texture, soft carbonation. Coconut is very subtle, decent brew.
Tried from Draft on 21 Sep 2017 at 17:27
Grumbo (25958) reviewed
Hawksmoor Stone Brew from Briarbank Brewing
9 years ago
6.8/10 — Appearance 8 Aroma 7 Flavor 7 Texture 6 Overall 6
Tap at the Briarbank, Ipswich. Pours ruby brown with a small lasting bubbly off-white head. Arom of malt, caramel, chocolate and fruit. Moderate sweetness and medium bitterness. Medium body, slight creamy texture, soft carbonation.
Tried from Draft on 21 Sep 2017 at 17:17