The historic Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, Cumbria, is set to reopen as a working brewery, alongside the prodigal return of the brand, after being acquired by two local entrepreneurs.
The acquisition of the brewery for an undisclosed sum will see two local business owners, Kurt Canfield (CEO of specialist engineering business Delkia) and Rebecca Canfield (proprietor of wine and spirits ecommerce company Wine and the Wood), take ownership of the brewery site, with the intention to resume brewing Jennings beer in Cockermouth following the brewery’s closure in 2022.
The deal also involves the transfer of rights to the Jennings brand, including all trademarks, intellectual property and recipes. Bottled beer under the Jennings brand will continue to be sold by Carlsberg Britvic until March 2025, after which beer production will transfer to the new company – Jennings Brewery Ltd.
Rebecca Canfield said: “As lifelong residents of West Cumbria, we have cherished Jennings Brewery and its beer for many years. Preserving the heritage of the brewery and the maltings building, which are integral to our community, is of utmost importance to us. We are delighted to bring Jennings back to the local area and to have it once again run by a family-owned business.
“The brewery has almost 200 years of brewing history and one element that really attracted us to the project was the fact that it has its very own well. This is what makes it so beautiful and unique – an authentic Jennings beer can only be brewed with local water!”
Kurt Canfield, who will continue as CEO of Delkia, added: “This project is a remarkable and ambitious endeavour, which we are taking on to benefit the entire community. The Maltings building is an historic landmark, and we have extensive plans to enhance the site while respecting its heritage. However, critical repairs are necessary and will take time before we can get back to brewing the great beer that Jennings in known for.”
David Bodily, head of properties and facilities at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “We’re pleased to have completed the sale of Jennings Brewery to new, local owners who are looking to preserve the site’s brewing heritage. The brewery is a unique location in Cockermouth, and we wish Kurt and Rebecca every success for the future.”
The project is expected to create several new jobs in the area, including the appointment of a head brewer, a brewing team, and a local sales and marketing force. Some appointments have already been made for the new business, with Chris France, founder of speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk joining as managing director.
France, who also grew up in The Lake District said: “Jennings was hugely influential as I developed my love for this industry, and the idea of bringing a great beer back to the heart of this town is an exciting prospect. There’s a rich brewing history here and we’d love to hear from anyone in the community who wants to join the team or be part of bringing it back.”
Jennings’ Cockermouth Brewery boasts a storied brewing tradition dating back to 1828 and crafts its beers using pure Lakeland water drawn from the River Derwent, resulting in a distinctive and quintessentially British flavour. Among its most iconic creations is Jennings Bitter, a classic, well-balanced ale with a malty richness and a crisp, clean finish, loved by generations of beer enthusiasts. Equally celebrated are Cumberland Ale, a refreshing golden ale that captures the essence of the Lake District, and Sneck Lifter, a robust and warming dark ale with rich, malty depth.
