The North Cumbrian News and Star has this:
CUMBRIAN brewery Jennings has unveiled plans which could see beer production more than triple in the coming years.
Jennings is set to install three new fermentation tanks at the Cockermouth brewery, which will take production from 30,000 barrels a year to 50,000.
Jennings was bought in June 2005 by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries (WDB) in a £45m deal.
WDB today confirmed that the three new tanks will be installed around Christmas this year.
Richard Westwood, brewery production director at WDB, said the expansion plans followed the company’s decision to sell Jennings flagship Cumberland Ale to pubs across the UK.
He said: “This week has seen production reach record levels of 1,000 barrels, compared to an average of 700.
“All three of Jennings biggest selling beers – Cumberland Ale, Cockahoop and Snecklifter – are doing well thanks to the wider distribution of the ales and a marketing drive.
“We were very positive about the future of the brewery when we took over last year, and we feel we’ve ticked every box.”
WDB plans to invest £150,000 in the three fermentation tanks, which will increase production by around 15,000 to 20,000 barrels a year. Two further phases of investment are also planned – to build two lots of three more tanks in the coming years.
This could bring production to 100,000 barrels a year while retaining the traditional brewing process at the plant.
Mr Westwood said: “The brewing house itself could produce 100,000 barrels, we just need more fermentation units. At the same time we’ve introduced energy saving initiatives which are running alongside the expansion and investment plans.”
At present, 11 staff work on brewing the beer at Jennings and the first phase of investment will not see any more jobs created.
But if production is increased to 100,000 barrels, it could bring staff numbers up to 15 to 20.
Peter