Beer Heroes Tap Room opened at Helsby Railway Station in November 2016, a hidden gem for craft beer enthusiasts, attracting visitors from far and near.
We recently met up with the owners, Carl and Kelly and enjoyed sampling a selection of the beers and hearing how it all began....
Back in 2010, the couple ran a convenience store in Northwich and having a shared passion for beer they initially stocked 20 American Craft Beers, which quickly expanded to between 50 and 60 different beers from the UK as well as the States.
Four years later they were approached by Amazon and supplied several mixed packs to be sold in this way. Such was the success that Carl and Kelly decided to set up their own website and sell directly to the public in addition to Amazon.
BUY ONLINE AT BEERHEROES.COM
There are now over 400 craft beers available on the website, which are all carefully sourced and tested, maintaining their excellent reputation. If a beer arrives for trial and it doesn’t meet the teams standards, it isn’t accepted! With as many as 8-9 new breweries popping up each week, there is a lot of competition for them to be taken on to the prestigious Beer Heroes website.
Carl and Kelly try to buy beers that are different, like the 10% Pecan Mud Pie Beer! Beers are posted out not only across the UK but also abroad and they have even supplied an order to Buckingham Palace!
Some of the beers are seasonal, for example dark beers are popular around Christmas, while IPA and Sours are more popular in Summer.
DRINK IN WITH 8 AWESOME BEERS ON TAP
The premises at Helsby Railway Station was initially to be used as a store room for the online business, however, Carl spotted the opportunity of turning it into a tap room and so in November 2016 the doors were opened and it is proving to be very popular and much busier than they expected. Inside is rather quirky with rustic tables, benches and actual kegs to sit on with emoji cushions on the top!
As well as the vast choice of bottled beers and ciders there are eight awesome beers available on tap. For none beer drinkers there is wine, prosecco and soft drinks available.
If you’re spoilt for choice or can’t make your mind up, you are always welcome to have a taster. You can also order a ‘Beer Flight’, which is four different beers, each one a third of a pint. This is a great way to try different beers with friends and it’s interesting to hear each others views and preferences. One of the beers that we tried, I wasn’t keen on but Chris really liked it, so it’s a fun way to enjoy a drink, or four!
So on to the beers that we tried...
The first being Lush from Amundsen Brewery, an old German style sour beer, brewed in Oslo. Slightly pink in colour, this creamy effervescent sour beer at 5.5% with raspberry and lime really did give the sweet followed by sour experience and got the thumbs up.
Second was Mad Hatter at 6%, brewed at a Liverpool based brewery. A superb Mandarin IPA with a pleasant citrus taste. This one was probably my favourite and I kept going back to it!
Next was Bread & Circuses, a pale ale from local brewery Chapter Brewery based in Sutton Weaver. At 3.9%, this had buttery, biscuit undertones, a very nice, refreshing drink.
And from a pale ale to a Black IPA. Brewed in Tottenham by Beavertown Brewery, Black Betty was very unique and not at all like Guinness as I thought it would be. Brewed with hops but using a dark malt, you initially get the smell of the hops, followed by a treacle / coffee smoothness.
The eight beers that are available on tap constantly rotate and are hardly ever repeated so there is always something new to try. Supplied by small Craft Breweries, each brew is slightly different because of the hops used.
All of the beers on tap are keg conditioned, which is the modern way and they don’t contain any additives or preservatives.
OVER 300 BEERS TO TAKE AWAY
The huge choice of bottled beers can be bought individually or as many as you like. Mixed 6 or 12 packs make a nice gift - note Father’s Day is approaching! Gift Vouchers are also available. The unique selling point at Beer Heroes is that they offer beers that you wouldn’t usually see in supermarkets or off licenses.
EXPERT TASTING SESSIONS
If you would like to learn more about craft beer and fancy tasting unique draught beers, join the beer expert for a fully guided tasting of awesome craft beers. Be prepared to learn about and taste 8 x 1/3 pints whilst being taught what tastes to look for and how the professionals do it.
The next Beer Tasting experience is on May 6th and 7th and June 3rd and 4th, starting at 12.00 midday. Also at The Old Bank Tearooms, Helsby on the 17th June 7-9pm with a bar for further drinks until 11pm. Just £15 per person (pre-booking is essential) and snacks are provided throughout this two hours of beer heaven.
MOBILE CRAFT BEER BAR TO HIRE FOR EVENTS
Having a party? Beer Heroes can provide you with a keg, complete with a hand pump and flow control tap. They also have mobile beer bars which are perfect for parties, events, weddings etc. Four or eight tap systems are available and can be set up in the venue or outside under a gazebo.
Beer Heroes is certainly growing and expanding, a great addition to Helsby. Well done guys!
01928 890 440
beerheroes.com
OPENING HOURS - THURS 5-9pm, FRI 2-9pm, SAT 1-9pm, SUN 2-8pm
