Joule’s Brewery has re-opened its flagship pub, the Red Lion Brewery Tap, in Market Drayton — a perfect time to celebrate the business’s 15th anniversary.
The exterior of The Red Lion
The Red Lion, situated next to the brewery itself in the heart of Market Drayton, has always been the beating heart of Joule’s.
“Bringing the Red Lion back online feels like coming home,” said Vicky Colclough, managing director of Joule’s Brewery. “When we reopened the brewery in 2010, this was the first Taphouse we developed, and we’ve grown alongside it ever since.
“To be reopening it now, as we celebrate 15 years of Joule’s, feels incredibly special. We’ve hit so many milestones — new beers, new pubs, and bold new ventures — and the Red Lion has always been at the heart of that story.”
The redevelopment has preserved the Red Lion’s character while introducing subtle updates that reflect the brewery’s evolving identity. During the works, the team opened The Stag, a historic building next door, as a temporary pub space. It’s been a huge hit, and now takes on a new role.
“The Stag has had its first outing as a pub, and what a pleasure that’s been,” said Anna Brakel, development director. “But it’s always had a different future in mind. From now on, The Stag will serve as our dedicated private events space — perfect for birthdays, parties, celebrations, and everything in between. We’ve made it easy to book, with no hire fees, and we’re excited to see it come to life in this new way.”
The exterior of the brewery
Chris Turner, general manager of both the Red Lion and The Stag, said: “I’m really looking forward to getting back behind the bar at the Red Lion. It’s a fantastic pub, and I know the team are excited to be back in there, too.
“We’ve had a great time running The Stag, and now it’s all about giving something back to Market Drayton. It’s a space for the community, and I can’t wait to bring some brilliant events to life in there.”
One of the most exciting updates to the Red Lion is the installation of Green Monkey tank beer, available straight from the brewery to the glass, with zero air contact and maximum freshness.
“There’s nothing like tank beer — it’s the purest pint you can pour,” said Georgia Charlton-Briggs, brand manager. “We’ve connected the Red Lion directly to the brewery’s DPVs [dual-purpose vessels], so your pint of Green Monkey doesn’t travel far.
Enjoying Green Monkey tank beer, fresh from the brewery
“It never touches the air, so it holds on to all the fresh flavour and delicate sparkle we work so hard to craft. It’s something we’ve wanted to do at the Red Lion for a long time, and now it’s finally here.”
The re-opening of the Red Lion comes at a time of exciting growth for Joule’s. In recent years, the brewery has expanded its estate of Taphouses, launched new beer lines, including the Batch Beer experimental series, seasonal cask specials, and a craft-focused cold beer range that’s gone from strength to strength.
Most recently, Joule’s has stepped into Birmingham, with new sites at The Red Lion, in the Jewellery Quarter, The New Inn, in Harborne, and The Waterside Tap, right on Gas Street Basin.
“It’s been a big year,” added Vicky, “and this feels like the perfect way to raise a pint to it. From one small brewery to a growing estate, we’re proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited for what’s to come.”
To mark the re-opening and 15-year milestone, customers can expect a calendar full of celebratory events.
