A Beer Lover's Tour of Cumbria

15th June is National Beer Day and there’s clearly something special in the water around Cumberland! Come and sample some unusual craft ales, tasty lagers and much more...

The area has become a hotspot of breweries and distilleries with new ones popping up all the time. Come and sample some unusual craft ales, tasty lagers, delicious gins and carefully matured whiskys plus so much more……

Some you can visit for everything from tours and tastings to lunch on-site, to buy direct or to sample their wares in tap-rooms or local pubs local pubs, restaurants and shops around the region.

Make a day of it and visit one of these fully experiential businesses:

Keswick Brewing Company – Operating since 2005, this company brews a range of ales and beers to suit all tastes. Their core range includes Keswick Gold, Keswick Bitter and Thirst Quencher, while the wider range features hoppy classics and seasonal specials. The brand opened its first tap room, The Fox Tap, in 2019 where they offer tours and tastings, plus a full bar range of other drinks.  There is always six cask and four keg beers available, plus bottled and canned beers.

Carlisle Brewing Company- Developed from a love of not just beer but the culture of how having a pint with friends, brings everyone together, this couple behind the brewery, started their journey after owning their own pub.  Today, they offer a core range of six ales and beers, plus speciality brews which are available on limited productions. The ales are available at their pub/tap room, the Spinners Arms in Cummersdale, Carlisle and to purchase online or via other outlets.

Ennerdale Brewery – Opened in 2010 it’s possible to visit Ennerdale Brewery and sample their produce on-site at The Brewery Tap and Bistro.  Open Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch, visitors can enjoy a tasty meal washed down with one of Ennerdale’s very own creations. This established brewery produces a range of high-quality real ales including pale ales, dark bitters, largers and IPAs.

Ennerdale Brewery

Great Corby Brewhouse – This small brewhouse with a team of just six was founded in 2009 and produces a small range of eight core ales, plus a limited-edition range.  All the ales are produced with Cumbria in mind, utilising Cumbrian produce and even a Cumbrian link for the name.  For example, one of the best sellers ‘Tizzie Whizie’, is named after a mythical creature that is said to live on the shores of Windermere. Plans are afoot for a tour and tasting offering, but in the meantime why not try one of their ales in a local pub or buy online.

Great Corby Brewhouse

Hesket Newmarket – A brewery like no other this one not only produces ales, bitters, IPAs, beers and pilsners but in 2023 also added gin to their range!  The business is also unique in that it is a cooperative, not-for-profit brewers and indeed the oldest surviving micro-brewery in Cumbria. The brewery is situated right behind The Old Crown Pub and you’ll find their drinks at selected local outlets including the likes of Booths, A Days Walk, The Westmorland Family and Cranstons, or buy directly online.

West Walls Brewing Company – launching summer 2024, this new kid on the block will be bringing their ‘experiential’ beers and ales to Cumbria. With plans for brewery tours and tastings, be the first to try their offering!

And if beer isn't your thing, but you still love a tipple, try these places:

The Lakes Distillery – With a dream of bringing the taste of fine whisky to the Lake District, the Currie family set up this business, drawn to the area by the fantastic clean, cold-water supply and incredible landscapes. Today, the distillery produces both single malt and blended whiskys plus a classic English gin.  Visit The Lakes Distillery for tours, tastings and lunch in the on-site bistro.

Mosser Cider – crafted from apples and pears grown in the Cumbrian climate, these fresh, richly flavoured ciders are the result of a cool refreshing environment and careful fermenting and maturing environment. The product range includes a small selection of ciders, plus for those who prefer to avoid alcohol, a selection of four apple juices. The drinks can be purchased online and at selected Cumbrian retailers.

The Cumberland Food & Drink Programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Cumberland Council and Sellafield.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus