Donnington Brewery
Donnington Mill was perhaps one of the Mills of Broadwell Manor, which dated back to 1291. In the 16th century it was used as a Cloth Mill which the Lord of the Manor of Donnington rebuilt and converted into two Corn Mills circa 1580.
However, early in the 17th century, the Mill became a separate freehold estate and in 1827 the buildings were bought by Thomas Arkell, whose descendant Richard Arkell started a Brewery there in 1865. The Brewery flourishes today and has been owned and run by the Arkell family ever since.
Claude Arkell, the grandson of the founder, passed away in 2007 after 50 years at the Brewery. Today it is owned and run by James Arkell. Some of the neighbouring land is owned by the family and, until the mid-1960s, it provided barley for use in the brewing process. However, since that time malt has been supplied by Norfolk maltings together with hops obtained locally from Worcestershire.
Today the Millhouse is still there in splendid condition and operates as part of the Brewery. Even the mill wheel is still used to drive small pumps and machines. The end product, Donnington’s traditional beers, are still produced by much the same recipe that has always been in use. The basic requirement, that is water or, in brewing terms “liquor”, is drawn from a strong spring beside the mill pond and has proved to be satisfactory for use in the brewing process in its natural state.
Three permanent draught beers are brewed; ‘BB’ 3.6% abv, ‘SBA’ 4.4% abv and Cotswold Gold 4.0% abv. Double Donn and Cotswold Gold are also our regular bottled beers. Special ales are also occasionally brewed; Coronation Ale, Black Swan, Cotswold Pale Ale, Founders Ale and Diamond Queen.
Of the Brewery itself, the setting and the architecture can only be described as idyllic, with beautiful Cotswold buildings, carefully tended lawns and paths leading down to the mill pond.
Donnington Brewery brews real ale in the heart of the Cotswolds and maintains 20 inns in arguably the country’s ideal location. For many, the name of Donnington means more than good beer; it’s a whole way of life.
Author: Caroline Porsiel
Caroline Porsiel is a master distiller and liqueurist based in East Ellijay, Georgia. She founded House of Applejay, a fine spirits and liqueur distillery, in 2022 with her mother, Sabine, crafting award-winning products like Applejay from Ellijay, Mt. Frozen Knob Vodka, and Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. The distillery won a 2024 Best of Georgia Award and a 2025 Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its Winter Cherry Mountain Liqueur. As a founding member of the AMBRU Campaign, launched in 2020, Porsiel advocates for the global recognition of American Brandy and Rum. She continues to drive innovation in the craft spirits industry from her active distillery in the heart of Georgia’s apple country.
