Brewery back after three years creates 10 jobs

A brewery which shut after 200 years is making beer again with the creation of 10 jobs.

Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was closed in November 2022 by then-owners Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC), which blamed economic pressures.

The site was bought by local couple Kurt and Rebecca Canfield in February, who said they were "delighted" to keep the brewery in the county.

The firm's managing director Chris France said it was a "magical time" bringing back old beer recipes and the brewery would be ready to stock pubs early next month.

Mr France said: "We brewed a beer yesterday that hasn't been brewed on the site in seven years and smelling it was just wonderful.

"We are bringing old recipes back and it's absolutely magic."

He said the plan was to offer six beers initially with "old favourites" coming back from the "Jennings' glory days".

The sale of the brewery included the rights to the Jennings brand and recipes, the firm said.

In November 2024, CMBC announced it would stop selling Jennings Cumberland Ale, moving production to Staffordshire, in cask or keg format.

Bottled versions of Jennings beer were sold by Carlsberg until March, when the rights to the brand were transferred to the Canfields.

Established as a family concern in 1828, the original Jennings brewery was in the village of Lorton.

In 1874, having outgrown the site, it moved to the banks of the river Cocker in Cockermouth.

Mr France said in addition to selling the beer in bottles, the firm would sell the beer to pubs in casks.

"We do intend to bring out some new stuff so it's an exciting time for beer in Cockermouth," he said.

Mr France also said it was "fundamental" the firm only used Cumbrian water from its on-site well.

"Beer is 95% water and the local water has a unique balance of salts and minerals which feeds into the taste.

"We can make some fantastic Cumberland ales purely because of the water that we have - it's critical."

He said his small team of 10 was "passionate about beer" and hoped more jobs would be created.

The brewery is currently taking orders from pubs who used to stock Jennings beer, as well as free-trade businesses.

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