How RedWillow's Treacle Treat Celebrates Centuries of Sticky History

There's something deliciously fitting about a brewery in Macclesfield creating a beer with treacle. After all, this historic Cheshire town has been synonymous with the dark, sticky stuff for centuries, earning itself the affectionate nickname "Treacle Town" long before it became known as the Silk Town.

The Day Macclesfield Got Sticky

Why is Macclesfield called Treacle Town, we hear you ask? The story goes that centuries ago, a horse-drawn wagon carrying treacle overturned on the town's cobbled streets, spilling its precious cargo everywhere. The town's poor residents rushed out to scoop the treacle off the road, salvaging what they could of this valuable commodity. Whether every detail is historically accurate or embellished through generations of retelling, the story captures something essential about Macclesfield's character, resourcefulness, community spirit, and an appreciation for life's sweeter moments.

Treacle's Journey Through Time

This incident has become so integral to the town's identity that the monthly Treacle Market, which started in 2010, named itself after this incident! If you’re lucky, you may even find treacle toffee and treacle pudding being sold by vendors at its monthly gatherings on the historic cobbles where that famous spill supposedly occurred.

The marketplace itself dates back to 1578, where everything from clothing to food was traded. But it wasn't until 1692 that treacle became the market's signature product. Made with sugar, molasses and spices, treacle quickly gained popularity amongst local residents and soon tourists were flocking to sample this unique delicacy.

While treacle may seem quaint to modern palates accustomed to refined sugars, it was once a precious commodity. Before the widespread availability of white sugar, treacle provided essential sweetness and calories, particularly valuable for working families during Macclesfield's industrial heyday as a silk-weaving centre.

From Kitchen Staple to Brewing Tradition

Treacle's role in British brewing stretches back centuries. A fascinating manuscript recipe book from Lincolnshire, begun by E. Martin in 1737, includes a recipe for treacle beer alongside other delights like Norfolk Punch and Oxford Sausage, proof that treacle brewing was already well-established by the early 18th century.

Historical brewing texts from 1768 to 1806 regularly featured "treacle beer" alongside other traditional ales like porter and small beer. By the Victorian era, treacle had become a common brewing ingredient. Samuel Curtis's brewing guide described a brew made with "1 ounce of hops, 1 ounce of pounded ginger, and 4 pounds of treacle" that was considered "wholesome and agreeable," and noted to keep much longer than common beer.

In modern craft brewing, black treacle (made from cane molasses, inverted sugar, and golden syrup) has found its place particularly in dark English ales, stouts, and porters, typically using between 600g to 2.4kg of treacle per hectolitre (100L). The treacle provides a smoother, more refined flavour compared to molasses, adding depth and complexity to dark beers. The key is balance; too much can be overpowering, but the right amount adds a subtle complexity that elevates the entire brew.

RedWillow's Treacle Treat: A Modern Classic

Now, as RedWillow Brewery celebrates its 15th anniversary year, we've brought back our own tribute to Macclesfield's treacle tradition. Our limited edition Treacle Treat is a beautiful autumnal ale that captures the essence of our town's sweet history in every sip.

At 5.3% ABV, Treacle Treat is brewed with Crystal and Black Malt, with generous helpings of treacle added both in the whirlpool and fermenter. This technique delivers a layer of cinder toffee flavour over a smooth dark ale base, imagine bonfire night in a glass!

On the nose, you'll find notes of toffee, dark fruits, and a hint of warming spice. The first sip reveals layers of flavour: the initial sweetness of cinder toffee gives way to subtle roasted notes from the dark malts, while the treacle provides a silky mouthfeel and a satisfying, slightly sticky finish that recalls traditional English toffees.

Treacle Treat represents something special, a beer that's uniquely ours, uniquely Macclesfield's. It's a reminder that great beer isn't just about following trends or chasing the latest hop varieties.

Get Your Hands on This Limited Edition

Visit our online shop or stop by one of our bars And if you're lucky enough to visit during the last Sunday of the month, why not make a day of it? Start at Macclesfield's famous Treacle Market in the morning, then head to RedWillow in the afternoon to taste how we've transformed the town's sticky history into liquid gold.

After all, in a town that once salvaged spilt treacle from the streets, we know how to make the most of every sweet opportunity.