The owners of West Cumbrian brewery Tractor Shed have sold the business.
Graeme and Rachel Mitchell have decided to retire and will step back in April.
They will pass the reins to their head brewer of over eight years, Alan Fitton-Crellin, and his business partner, Phil Scholey.
The pair are also co-owners of Crooked River Brewing Co.
Tractor Shed Brewing, based at Calva Brow in Workington, has been Alan’s professional home since 2016.
Beginning his journey as an assistant brewer, he worked his way up to head brewer, gaining hands-on experience in the craft while helping shape the brewery’s
identity.
Now, alongside Phil, Alan is set to lead the next chapter of the brewery’s story, the pair said.
The business will be renamed Crooked River Brewing Co, but the pair pledged its legacy will remain intact.
They said they were committed to continuing the production and sale of the much-loved Tractor Shed beers alongside their own range.
Phil said: “We want customers and supporters of Tractor Shed to feel no change and experience a seamless continuation of their favourite Tractor Shed beers and events.”
The transition comes as a natural evolution of a longstanding partnership.
Alan and Phil launched Crooked River Brewing Co in 2022, and shortly after, a brewing and distribution collaboration with Tractor Shed was announced.
Over the past three years, they have been crafting their beers at the Tractor Shed brewery.
Graeme said: “I believe in small, family-run, local businesses, which is what I love about Crooked River.
“Watching Phil and Alan go from strength to strength over the last few years has reassured me that the brewery and brand are in trusted hands.”
Phil added: “We want to honour the reputation that Graeme and Rachel have built and continue to grow that legacy. We have already engaged with several event partners of Tractor Shed and are in the early stages of planning our own events – both at the brewery and in Cockermouth, where we’ve held our own socials for the past few years.”
Crooked River Brewing Co will host a launch party on Friday, April 4, at the brewery in Workington.
Open to the public, the event will feature a line-up of food, entertainment, and a selection of beers across both brands.
Crooked River recently opened a taproom in Keswick and is a finalist in the Cumbria Food Awards.
In May last year, a worker suffered serious burns in an explosion at the brewery.
