The Fresh Standard

If you're keen to understand how drinks are actually made, this is a genuinely rewarding place to spend a couple of hours. You can book onto guided tours that take you through their brewing and distilling operations, where the staff will walk you through their ingredients and methods. The team here clearly care about what they're doing and are generous with their knowledge, so you'll get proper insight rather than a rushed visit.

After the tour, you can move through to their taproom to taste what they've created. It's the best way to get a feel for their current range of beers and spirits, and you'll likely find something that appeals to you. They also have a shop if you want to take bottles home. The finished products are much more interesting when you've seen where they come from and understand the work involved.

Nailsworth itself has plenty to offer beyond the brewery—independent shops and cafes are dotted throughout the town and worth exploring. Its location also works well for a wider day out, as Stroud, the larger market town, is just a short drive away, so you can easily combine both.