Bitter End Brewery

The pub derives its name from nearby Bitter Beck, which runs into the River Cocker. The brewery was founded along with the pub in 1995; brewer Mike Askey had not brewed before but had worked in fabricating and was therefore able to put together the brewing equipment with the help of Peter Yates of Yates brewery who also supplied the brewing know-how. Later, Mike formed a joint enterprise with Frank Smith, like Peter also a former Jennings head brewer, and set up the Derwent brewery on the other side of Cockermouth.

Early Bitter End beers included Cocker Snoot and Skinner's Old Strong. Later on Cuddy Lugs was produced; this is the only one of the original beers which is currently being brewed, although there are plans to revive Cocker Snoot later this year. Mike has also brewed occasional beers for Cockermouth Beer Festival and Call Out was made specially to raise funds for Cockermouth Rescue Team.

Mike has maintained an interest in fabricating brewing equipment, and has supplied brewing vessels to other microbreweries, and set up the equipment for a university degree course which included brewing! Not to be content with this range of activity, during 2000-01, Mike and his brother went into the long distance lorry driving business. This curtailed his brewing output somewhat, and he started to look around for an apprentice brewer.

In autumn 2001, after some health and safety improvements to the brewery, barmaid Nicola Farmer became Cumbria's first female brewer and brewed her inaugural Cuddy Lugs. After a number of brews, some regulars of the Bitter End would say that Nicola's version is even better than Mike's was! In the last two or three months, she has extended the beer range, and around Easter we had three more beers to try: Full English, Farmer's Ale and Old Neddy named after the clock that used to stand in the middle of Cockermouth Main Street. As we went to press a new celebration beer is planned for the POTY certificate presentation in May. Main ingredients are pale, crystal, chocolate and black malts, and Fuggles and Goldings hops; Target hops are used in Old Neddy and Challenger will be used in the new beer. The brewery was increased to a two barrel plant with the installation of the latest American brew plant with a larger gas fired copper in 2004.
New head brewer Steve Hebblethwaite joined in Dec 2007
Brew lengths are currently running at 1-3 barrels, with good sales through the pub, and the Royal Yew at Dean, plus the odd sale to the free trade and festivals.

Three regular beers are now brewed, with some distribution to the free trade, along with a seasonal range of traditional English beer styles. One-off and festival brews as ever, continue to exhibit innovation in technique, and sometimes in ingredient. Seasonal beers: Espresso Stout (ABV 6.8% Dec-Jan) Cuddy Lugs 4.3% (ABV 4.3% Feb-Mar) Dark Mild (ABV 3.6% Apr-May) Grasp the Nettle (ABV 4% June) Wild Honey (ABV 5.5% July) Three Hares (ABV 3.6% Aug-Sep) Bitter End Barley Wine (ABV 6.2% Oct-Nov)Regular beers:Lakeland Bitter (ABV 3.8%)Lakeland Pale Ale (ABV 4%)Lakeland Best Gold (ABV 4.3%)
(Updated June 2008)