Loweswater Brewery
Recent News

> Kirkstile Inn

> History

Set up in 2003 by Matt Webster and Roger Humphreys,  the Loweswater Brewery is situated at Kirkstile Inn, one of the Lake District's finest hostelries.

Using only the finest ingredients of malt, hops, and water this is a genuine craft brewery producing fine real ale.

Jan to June 2003

The brewery was set up using equipment from the Tirrel Brewery which was upgrading its plant. Brew length 2.5 barrels.

July to December 2003

Experimentation with recipes including Melbreak bitter - substantial demand exceeds supply.

Melbreak Bitter the first beer to sell out at the Westmorland Beer Festival.

Grasmoor Dark Ale goes on sale  for the first time on Boxing Day.

Jan 2004

Further fermenting vessel acquired from Yates Brewery at Westnewton near Cockermouth - this allows brewing twice a week on an occasional basis.

May 2004

Kirkstile Festival Ale produced using Styrian Goldings hops to coincide with the Cumbria Food and Drink Festival. This had previously been sold under the name Matt's Third Brew.

Roger Protz - the UK's leading beer writer and editor of The Good Beer Guide visits and stays at Kirkstile Inn twice in 4 weeks as part of the Cumbria Food and Drink Festival and to research the revival of real ale in Cumbria.

September 2004

Haven Pride produced as a variation of Kirkstile Festival Ale with different hop ratios. It was the first to sell out at the Whitehaven Beer Festival. Melbreak Bitter also won the top beer at the festival and Grasmoor was third.

December 2004

Rannerdale Best is the new name for Haven Pride. Now to be brewed more regularly.

January 2005

Further conditioning tank acquired to allow regular brewing twice a week.