Two Cumbrian breweries have joined forces to help strengthen the county’s beer scene.
The newly formed Crooked River Brewing Co, of Cockermouth, has gone into partnership with Seaton’s Tractor Shed Brewing.
Since launching at Taste Cumbria in Cockermouth last year, Crooked River has gained local support, and an online fundraising campaign helped it raise over £20,000.
Phil Scholey, Crooked River co-founder, said customer demand quickly outgrew their small batch brewing kit and the decision was taken to explore options to expand.
Due to limited funding and commercial space in Cockermouth, Phil, and co-founder Alan Fitton Crellin, began to look for a partner that could help them get established.
Tractor Shed Brewing was the obvious choice – Alan worked for the brewery since 2015 starting his career as an assistant brewer.
Tractor Shed Brewing with Alan will brew, keg and deliver their beers to outlets in Cumbria.
Graeme Mitchell, owner of Tractor Shed Brewing, said, “It may seem odd to help another, competing brewery establish themselves but I believe that small, family run, local businesses should stick together and support each other.
“Over 90 per cent of the beer bought and supped in Cumbria is brewed outside the county, by multi-national companies with very few employees if any in Cumbria, who put nothing back into the local economy and rarely support their community with charitable donations.
“This is who we should be targeting and there’s enough business there to share.”
Alan said: “I can’t wait to brew my own beers in a brewery I am already so familiar with. I’ll make sure to taste them throughout the process to make sure they’re on top form when they hit the shelves and taps in March.”
Phil added: “The crowdfund was the first step towards building a future for brewing in Cockermouth. Although we still have a long road ahead of us, the partnership represents an opportunity to move one step closer and will guarantee us a supply to fulfil more business in our local area and launch our own events for the town later in the year.”
