The Nottingham Brewery is run by business partners Philip Darby and Niven Balfour who originally entered the commercial brewing scene in the 1996 with their Bramcote Brewery set up in a double garage at the rear of Philip's brother's house. Prior to this the businessmen ran a Beeston-based catering company from 1980 running a none-commercial a micro-brewery as a hobby. The brewery was an immediate success led by its flagship brew Hemlock, named after the famous Hemlock Stone situated around the corner from the now defunct concern. Unfortunately the local Broxtowe Borough Council decided that a residential area was not suitable for a commercial brewing operation, albeit a small scale one, so they refused to renew the temporary planning permission that they had originally granted. This called for drastic action; Philip and Niven were forced to move lock, stock, and barrel. In doing so they joined forces with East Midlands pub group Tynemill who took a 40% share in the new brewery which was relocated next to their Vat and Fiddle pub in the centre of Nottingham. The new business which was started in 1997 was renamed Castle Rock Brewery. and won a plethora of real ale awards for their ales including the former Bramcote Hemlock and Elsie Mo.