UK: Jennings brewery to triple production
Cockermouth brewery Jennings has unveiled plans which could see beer production more than triple in the coming years. Jennings is set to install three new fermentation tanks by Christmas at the Castlegate brewery, which will take production from 30,000 barrels (47,700 hl) a year to 50,000 (79,500 hl), The Time & Star posted June 09.
Jennings was bought in June 2005 by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries in a £45 million deal.
Richard Westwood, brewery production director at Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, said the expansion plans followed the company’s decision to sell Jennings’ flagship Cumberland Ale to pubs across the UK.
He said: “Last week saw production reach record levels of 1,000 barrels (1,590 hl), compared to an average of 700 (1,113 hl).
“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.”
Wolverhampton & Dudley plans to invest £150,000 in the three fermentation tanks. 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 (15.9 million litres), we just need more fermentation units. At the same time we’ve introduced energy saving initiatives at the brewery 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.
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