Brewery Visit: Jennings Brothers, Cumbria

	While holidaying in the English Lake District, we thought a visit to the local brewery, Jennings, would be in order. Jennings is a small independent brewery operating from Cockermouth, to the north of the Lakes. Although originally set up as a maltings in a nearby village, today all the malt is bought in. The brewery produces between 80 and 120 barrels of beer per day, over one or two brews.
	The bought malt is sweet tasting - a little like Horlicks or Ovaltine - and crunchy. It has been allowed to germinate and has then been roasted. The degree of roasting and germination determines the properties of the malted grain; the colour and flavour in the final product. The grains are cracked gently in the mill, and then transferred to the mash tun, a giant kettle, where the stored sugars in the grain are extracted.
	From the mash tun, the liquor should run clear and sweet to the copper, where the hops are added. The hop store has a wonderful aroma (reminiscent of the smell in a kitchen used for homebrewing). Jennings use four hop varieties: the old favourites Fuggles and Goldings, with Challenger in all but their seasonal beer and the superb Styrians variety of Goldings in their hoppy Cocker Hoop. They claim this is the only ingredient to be shipped in from overseas (the Styrians come from Slovenia).
	From the copper, the brew is cooled and transferred to a fermenting vessel. Here it remains until the yeast has done its work (about five days). Although somewhat 'green', it is now ready to be barrelled. The brew is mixed up with isinglass finings and transferred to barrels ready for distribution.
	The tour takes an hour and a half, and gives a good insight into the workings of a small independent brewer. For three quid you get the tour and a free drink at the end. A worthwhile visit for any beer lover staying in Cumbria.

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