Less than six months after it brought brewing back to Cockermouth, Jennings is expanding capacity to be able to meet demand.
More brewing kit has been acquired and will be in operation within weeks.
Speaking exclusively to Business Crack, managing director Chris France said the existing process had been only able to satisfy around 60% of requests for beer which have come in from all over the North.
“I wasn’t surprised that the demand for Jennings was so strong locally but we have been taken by surprise that wholesalers across the North have shown interest in our beers,” Chris said. “As well as purchasing more brewing kit we’ve recruited more staff too.”
The existing kit installed earlier this year can produce up to 1,400 barrels a year but once the additional kit is commissioned this will increase to 4,500 barrels.
Head brewer Buster Grant now has an assistant to help and more staff may also be recruited in the future too.
A lager – the first produced by Jennings – was launched last week and was the best selling brew at the Cockermouth Taste Cumbria food event at the weekend.
Chris said Red Breast will make a comeback before Christmas along with another brew which is under wraps at the moment.
It’s a remarkable success story given brewing began just a few months ago after the brewery which closed in 2022 was brought back to life.
Chris, founder of speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk who grew up in the Lake District, joined as managing director earlier this year and has worked to redevelop the site as well as bring famous names back to shelves and tap rooms.
The hope now is the additional brewing capacity will not just enable to company to meet existing orders but also satisfy new ones.
