The Cockermouth-based brewery was closed in 2022 after the Jennings brand was sold to Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (now Carlsberg Britvic), but the rights have now been acquired by local business owners Kurt and Rebecca Canfield.
The deal involves the transfer of rights to all Jennings trademarks, intellectual property and recipes.
Bottled beer under the Jennings brand will continue to be sold by Carlsberg Britvic until March 2025, following which beer production will transfer to Jennings Brewery Ltd, the new company formed by the Canfields.
The project is set to create several new jobs in the Cockermouth area, including within the brewing team and the sales and marketing department.
Meanwhile, the founder of speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk, Chris France, is joining as managing director of Jennings Brewery Ltd.
Almost 200 years of heritage
Rebecca Canfield, who is the proprietor of wine and spirits company Wine and the Wood, explained that she has long cherished the Jennings Brewery site.
“Preserving the heritage of the brewery and the Maltings building, which are integral to our community, is of utmost importance to us,” she said.
“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 specialist engineering business 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 that the firm was pleased to have closed the sale to local owners that would preserve the brewery’s heritage.
“The brewery is a unique location in Cockermouth, and we wish Kurt and Rebecca every success for the future,” he concluded.
CAMRA welcomes deal
Chair of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), Ash Corbett-Collins, described the deal as fantastic news that would benefit the local community.
“When the historic Jennings brewery was closed in 2022 by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, it was yet another victim of the global brewer’s consolidation quest that has seen regional brewers shuttered, and classic cask beers pulled from bars,” he said.
“To hear that Jennings will make a comeback is fantastic news, but it should have never been closed in the first place. It will be great to see to see nearly 150 years of brewing heritage return to Cumbria, which can only benefit the local community and economy. I wish the new local owners the best of luck and look forward to having a pint of Jennings.”
