Ennerdale Brewery

Ennerdale Brewery was established in the summer of 2010 in Croasdale, near Ennerdale in Cumbria. The brewery was set up under the guidance of the late Peter Laws, a highly regarded brewer associated with the former Jennings Brewery in nearby Cockermouth.

The business began in a small barn, with family involvement at the heart of the operation from the outset. As demand for its beers grew, the original site became increasingly restrictive and the brewery began looking for a larger and more permanent home.

By 2014 the team had started planning a move, and in 2016 Ennerdale Brewery relocated to Rowrah. The new site was extensively redesigned to create a fully functioning brewery alongside a tap and bistro, giving the business both increased production capacity and a direct hospitality presence.

The brewery focuses on traditional ingredients and careful production. Its beers begin with water, malt, hops and yeast, using freshly kiln-dried and milled malt, whole-leaf hops and an established English ale yeast. Yeast is harvested from each fermentation and reused in subsequent brews to preserve the character of the beers.

Fermentation typically lasts around a week before the beer is transferred into racking and conditioning vessels for up to six additional days, depending on the recipe. This approach reflects the brewery's emphasis on natural ingredients, consistency and quality.

Sustainability has also become an important part of the brewery's development. With support from CLEP Cumbria, Ennerdale installed 176 solar panels across the site, helping reduce its carbon footprint and align the brewery's energy use more closely with renewable generation.

Over the years, Ennerdale has earned SIBA awards, business awards and continued SALSA accreditation, while its Brewery Tap & Bistro has developed into a popular destination in its own right. Today the business remains family-led, combining brewing, hospitality and a strong connection to its Cumbrian surroundings.