Derby’s grassroots music scene thrives on bands that refuse to sit still. In a city where venues like Dubrek Studios…
By K Futur LOCALIn a city long celebrated for its brewing heritage, few accolades carry the weight of a public vote. At the TRENDИG Awards 2026, where Derby’s creative and cultural landscape is recognised by the people who live it, Dancing Duck Brewery emerged as the winner of Best Brewery or Distillery-a title that reflects not just industry respect, but genuine community loyalty.
For Rachel Matthews and the team behind Dancing Duck, the win came as an unexpected but welcome moment. “TBH I wasn’t aware we were up for the award so it was a great surprise,” she explains. In many ways, that reaction captures the spirit of the brewery itself-quietly consistent, deeply rooted in its craft, and focused more on the quality of the pint than the spotlight around it.
Producing close to a million pints each year, Dancing Duck has become a cornerstone of Derby’s real ale scene. From pubs across the city to wider distribution, their beers are a familiar presence-but never taken for granted. Recognition like this, Matthews says, hits differently because of where it comes from. “It’s always great to be recognised by the people who regularly drink our beer.”
That relationship with the local community is key. In a city often referred to as one of the UK’s real ale capitals, drinkers know what they like-and more importantly, they know quality when they taste it. Dancing Duck’s success has been built on mastering the fundamentals. “We make sure our brewing process is super consistent and that our brewery is spotlessly clean,” Matthews notes. “IMO these are the two most important factors in making great beer.”
It is a simple philosophy, but one that has proven effective. While trends in craft brewing come and go, Dancing Duck has carved out a reputation for reliability without sacrificing character. Their beers do not chase hype-they earn loyalty.
Over the years, the brewery has picked up multiple awards, but the significance of the TRENDИG win lies in its grassroots nature. Unlike industry-led judging panels, this recognition is shaped by the voices of Derby’s drinkers-the same people who order their pints week in, week out. As Matthews puts it plainly, “It’s always great to win any award,” but the context here adds a deeper layer of meaning.
Derby itself plays an important role in that story. With a brewing legacy that continues to define the city’s identity, Dancing Duck sits firmly within a long-standing tradition while still moving forward. “Derby has been a great place to set up a real ale brewery-it is after all the real ale capital of the world according to Lonely Planet,” Matthews says. It is a bold claim, but one that locals would be hard-pressed to argue against.
Looking ahead to 2026, the approach remains grounded. There are no radical reinventions on the horizon-just a continued commitment to doing what they do best. “We’re just going to keep making Ay Up and all of our core beers, with specials thrown in whenever we get a free brew slot.” It is a strategy built on consistency, with just enough room for creativity when the opportunity arises.
In a landscape where authenticity matters more than ever, Dancing Duck Brewery’s TRENDИG Award win feels like a natural outcome rather than a surprise. It is a recognition of years of steady work, of clean tanks and careful processes, and of a connection to Derby’s drinkers that cannot be manufactured.
As the TRENDИG Awards continue to spotlight the people and businesses shaping the city, Dancing Duck stands as a reminder that sometimes the most impactful success stories are the ones built pint by pint-quietly, consistently, and always with the community at their core.
