New micro-brewery will be ready soon
Last updated 10:58, Saturday, 28 June 2008
Work on building Cumbria’s latest micro-brewery should be completed in the next few weeks.
The new plant will be at Taylor’s Blackbeck Bridge Inn, near Beckermet.
Ken O’Hara, joint owner of the hotel with Johnnie Taylor, said: “The idea started off small and just grew and grew.”
And he is not daunted by the fact that the industry is facing massive price hikes in the cost of malted barley, hops and the cost of kegs.
“I know the economic climate is not good, but sometimes you have to keep the faith.
“The idea behind the brewery is that Blackbeck is on its own, you have to come here specially, and it is another attraction for the hotel.”
Former Jennings chief brewer Peter Laws was drafted in to draw up the plans for the 500 hectalitre plant and he will also develop the beers.
The new kit was originally due to be installed in March, and the first beer drawn last month.
But the custom-built kit was not ready for delivery from Burton in Trent.
Mr Laws explained: “The project has had to be put on the back-burner, but the plant should be completed and finished by the end of this month.
“The first brew [Trial Run] should be ready by mid-July.”
Mr O’Hara added: “There is no rush and we want to get it right.”
As well as designing the plant (said to be a ‘mini-Jennings’) Mr Laws will also be responsible for the recipes of the brews – which will be named after fairground rides as a tribute to the fairground history of the Taylor family.
Dismissing any thoughts of beginning with a range of ales, he insisted: “We want to do one, get it right, then put some more on.”
The brewery will principally supply the hotel, but any extra will be made available to pubs.
“With a pub or hotel attached to the brewery, you will get you capital outlay back, we have a good chance of getting it back very quickly,” said Peter.
The new brewery will be the county’s 24th, with three more under various stages of completion.
