Chef & Brewer

The Chef & Brewer collection is a collection of over 150 licensed countryside pub restaurants in the United Kingdom, owned by Greene King. They provide pub food, specials and cask ales.

Grand Metropolitan, which later formed part of Diageo, sold the estate that became Chef & Brewer pubs to Scottish & Newcastle in 1993 in a part cash, part debentures deal of £708 million.^[1] In 2003, Scottish & Newcastle auctioned off the Chef & Brewer chain, which was acquired by the Spirit Group. In 2005 the Spirit Group was acquired by Punch Taverns.^[2] In 2011 the Chef & Brewer chain became part of Spirit Pub Company plc following its demerger from Punch Taverns. The Spirit Pub Company plc was acquired by Greene King in June 2015.^[3]

The pubs have featured in Tesco Clubcard promotions. The pubs have featured in Tesco Clubcard promotions and are part of the Blue Light Card scheme for emergency services personnel, the NHS, the UK teaching community, social care sector workers and the armed forces .^[4]

Chef & Brewer pubs can be characterised by their cosy, welcoming ambience and close association with nature. Although some  Chef & Brewer locations may not be strictly rural, they aim to capture the essence of a traditional local country pub through their décor, atmosphere, and menu, with an emphasis on togetherness and celebrating life’s little moment. Many locations aim to maintain biodiverse beer gardens with pollen-rich plants and wildlife-friendly features, such as bee hotels and hedgehog access points.

This correlation with nature is also reflected in the brand’s menus, which often feature specials inspired by the shifting seasons. Although many of the popular menu options may be described as “classic, hearty pub food” (pies, Sunday roasts , fish and chips, burgers, etc.), Chef & Brewer prioritise freshness and quality. They also offer a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, as well as a “No-Gluten Containing” menu and a “Young Guests” menu.

Some Chef & Brewer locations offer accommodation, functioning as hotels. Many of these hotels are strategically located in scenic areas and offer a range of amenities, including free Wi-Fi and tea and coffee-making facilities.

Most Chef & Brewer pubs are dog-friendly or feature designated dog-friendly areas with complimentary water and treats. However, the decision to allow dogs on the premises is often at the manager’s discretion. According to the Chef & Brewer website, it is advisable to ring ahead of booking to make sure.

Chef & Brewer works in partnership with AllTrails, to promote outdoor exploration, as many locations are situated along or near local walking trails. The AllTrails app allows users to search for trails and filter them by location, length, difficulty, dog-friendliness and accessibility. It also helps users strategically plan their walks to coincide with a trip to a nearby Chef & Brewer pub.

In 2024, Chef & Brewer launched a limited edition beer, Golden Nectar Ale, donating 20p from every pint sold to the Bumblebee Conservation Trust to support vital pollinators and their habitats. As part of this campaign, Chef & Brewer released a blog, stating they had adopted the bumblebee as their mascot, representing their ongoing commitment to bee conservation.

To celebrate the launch of Golden Nectar Ale, Chef & Brewer teamed up with horticulturist, author, and television presenter Frances Tophill in an effort to improve their pub gardens and raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and biodiversity. This collaboration involved the development of a list of ‘garden principles’, serving as guidance for designing and maintaining attractive, low-maintenance gardens. These principles included various planting tips, maintenance advice and activity suggestions for families and communities. Chef & Brewer also strive to apply these principles to their pub beer gardens.  

Chef & Brewer often offers discounts and giveaways to users who complete trails and provide evidence via the app.

Some of the pubs operated by Chef & Brewer are historic pub/inn locations:

• The Riverside, Branston Burton on Trent is a flagship chef and brewer hotel and restaurant
• The Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden, Oxfordshire, dating to 1352.^{[citation needed]}
• The De Trafford Arms in Alderley Edge dates back over 200 years ^[5]
• The Griffin, Widnes, An 18th century inn on the old Warrington to Prescot turnpike road at Bold Heath, once part of the distinguished Bold family estate. Previously a Fayre & Square pub, it was re-branded and completely re-furbished in 2016. ^[6]
• Hutt in Ravenshead was built in 1400 ^[7]
• Cross Keys in Cleveland became a coaching Inn in 1800.^{[citation needed]}
• The Traveller's Rest in Nottingham served as a half-way house for herders of the Goose Fair.^[8]
• The Ferry Inn in Wilford, Nottingham, serving the namesake ferry crossing chartered by Edward III that served the city for centuries^[9]
• Unicorn in Cheshire dates back over 100 years.^{[citation needed]}
• Romper in Altrincham dates back 450 years^{[citation needed]}
• The Blundell Arms in Bolton dates back to at least the early 15th century^{[citation needed]}
• The frontage of the Nags Head in Burntwood dates back to 1650 ^[10]
• Gatwick Manor in Crawley dates back to the 15th century ^[11]

• Official Website - Chef & Brewer
• Official YouTube Channel - Chef & Brewer