The Cockermouth-based brewery closed its doors in 2022 after the Jennings brand was sold to Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (now part of Carlsberg Britvic). However, the rights have now been acquired by local business owners Kurt and Rebecca Canfield.
This recent deal involves the complete transfer of rights to all Jennings trademarks, intellectual property, and recipes, marking a significant step towards revitalizing the brand.
Notably, bottled beer under the Jennings label will continue to be sold by Carlsberg Britvic until March 2025. After this period, beer production will transition to Jennings Brewery Ltd, the newly formed company led by the Canfields.
This project is poised to create several new jobs in the Cockermouth area, including positions within the brewing team and the sales and marketing department.
In a noteworthy addition, the founder of the specialty beer retailer Beer Hawk, Chris France, will come on board as managing director of Jennings Brewery Ltd.
Almost 200 Years of Heritage
Rebecca Canfield, also the proprietor of the wine and spirits company Wine and the Wood, expressed her longstanding admiration for 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 stated.
“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 maintain his role as CEO of the specialist engineering business Delkia, emphasized, “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 is known for.”
David Bodily, head of properties and facilities at Carlsberg Britvic, expressed satisfaction with the sale to local owners, which he believes will help preserve the brewery’s legacy.
“The brewery is a unique location in Cockermouth, and we wish Kurt and Rebecca every success for the future,” he concluded.
CAMRA Welcomes the Deal
Ash Corbett-Collins, Chair of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), described the acquisition as fantastic news that promises to 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 remarked.
“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 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.”
