Cask Marque
Cask Marque accredited, the mark for a well-kept pint.
Our storyA new chapter, with history
Canal roots.
Music names.
A local family business: from a microbrewery by the canal in Mexborough to a purpose-built brewery at Sandtoft, relaunching in 2026.
01Where it started
By the Don navigation
Don Valley Brewery started in a small microbrewery in Mexborough, next to the Don navigation. Gongoozler, the stout, is named for that canal: a gongoozler is someone who stands and watches the boats go by.
It was too small, and in the wrong spot to grow. So the brewery moved to Sandtoft and built a purpose-built brewhouse, with conical fermenters, conditioning tanks, a canning machine and bottling kit.
The move came with new names. Most of the beers are named after a song, for good music and good times.
02Timeline
How it got here
- The start
A small microbrewery in Mexborough, next to the Don navigation. Year to confirm
- The move
Too small to grow, so the brewery moved to a purpose-built site at Sandtoft, with four conical fermenters and conditioning tanks. Year to confirm: 2018 or 2019
- 2020
More conditioning tanks added to the brewhouse.
- The canning line
A canning machine and bottling kit, so the beer is packed where it is brewed. Year to confirm
- October 2022
The brewery tap and shop opened, built from three shipping containers.
- 2026
The relaunch: a standalone brewery, and a German-style beer hall at the brewery, opening soon.
1,150+
Hectolitres a year. The brewhouse capacity at Sandtoft.
4
Conical fermenters, with conditioning tanks alongside.
3
Shipping containers make up the tap and shop.
03The names
Named after songs
And one for the canal. Hear them in Mix One.
- Zest for LifeIggy Pop, Lust for Life
- Best of YouFoo Fighters, for their drummer Taylor Hawkins
- Kraft'werkKraftwerk, Autobahn
- Black StarDavid Bowie
- Teenage DirtbagWheatus
- Brown SugarThe Rolling Stones
- Trench Town RockBob Marley
- Kiss the SkyJimi Hendrix
- Mardy BumArctic Monkeys
- ParklifeBlur
- Sweet SymphonyThe Verve
- GongoozlerThe canal. Someone who watches the boats go by
04Standards
Kept to a standard
SIBA
Listed among the brewery's accreditations on its current awards page.
Current membership to confirmMostly vegan
Most of the range is vegan friendly. Brown Sugar has lactose.
05Awards
On the wall
As listed on the brewery's current website. Which beer won which to confirm
- Bronze, Stout, CAMRA Champion Beer of Yorkshire 2018 (Gongoozler)
- Bronze, North East Keg Speciality Light Beers, SIBA Independent Keg Beer Awards 2020 (Teenage Dirtbag)
- Gold, Strong Beers Cooper/Golden, Rail Ale Brewers Selection 2021 (Go Your Own Way)
- Bronze, Session Blonde/Golden/Pale, Rotherham CAMRA Champion Beer of Yorkshire 2023 (Teenage Dirtbag)
06The team
Who's who
A local family business, brewing at Sandtoft.
The team, and who is in the family, to confirm