UK: Cumbrian brewery makes first steps towards raising production in the coming years
Jennings brewery has unveiled plans which could see beer production more than triple in the coming years, The News & Star informed June 01.
The Cumbrian brewer is set to install three new fermentation tanks at the Cockermouth brewery, which will take production from 30,000 barrels a year to 50,000.
Jennings was bought in June 2005 by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (WDB) in a £45 million deal.
WDB confirmed June 01 that the three new tanks will be installed around Christmas this year.
Richard Westwood, brewery production director at WDB, said the expansion plans followed the company’s decision to sell Jennings flagship Cumberland Ale to pubs across the UK.
He said: “This week has seen production reach record levels of 1,000 barrels, compared to an average of 700. All three of Jennings biggest selling beers – Cumberland Ale, Cockahoop and Snecklifter – are doing well thanks to the wider distribution of the ales and a marketing drive. We were very positive about the future of the brewery when we took over last year, and we feel we’ve ticked every box.”
WDB plans to invest £150,000 in the three fermentation tanks, which will increase production by around 15,000 to 20,000 barrels a year. Two further phases of investment are also planned – to build two lots of three more tanks in the coming years.
This could bring production to 100,000 barrels a year while retaining the traditional brewing process at the plant.
Mr Westwood said: “The brewing house itself could produce 100,000 barrels, we just need more fermentation units. At the same time we’ve introduced energy saving initiatives which are running alongside the expansion and investment plans.”
At present, 11 staff work on brewing the beer at Jennings and the first phase of investment will not see any more jobs created.
But if production is increased to 100,000 barrels, it could bring staff numbers up to 15 to 20.
Jennings has been brewing traditional beers in Cumbria for over 170 years. We still use the same methods that were used by our founder as long ago as 1828 in the small Cumbrian village of Lorton.
Since 1874 we have been brewing at our current home. The Castle Brewery, in the quaint market town of Cockermouth. The Brewery is sited in the shadow of historic Cockermouth Castle at the confluence of the River Cocker and River Derwent.
As the last remaining independent brewing company in Cumbria, we are rightly proud of our Cumbrian heritage, our beers and our brewery. But why take our word for it? Why not visit Castle Brewery and enjoy one of our brewery tours?
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