There cannot be many breweries more remote than Dent. It’s half way up a hillside, a couple of miles along a single track road from the picturesque
village of Dent, halfway between the village and the eponymous railway station (all, confusingly, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park!).
The brewery itself is in a barn next to a former farmhouse known as The Hollins. From the door way
you look across wild Dentdale but inside the brewery has undergone a transformation – all is very slick and modern.
One of the founding breweries in Cumbria, the brewery (the third Cumbrian micro) originally was started in 1990 at the Sun Inn in Dent, owned
by Martin Stafford. Brewing seemed like a good way of keeping the pub supplied with a local real ale.
The brewery was soon moved to its present location further up the valley and Paul Goodyear,
from Dent village, took over the brewing. Production expanded and Dent soon became established as one of better known Northern
microbreweries. A couple of years ago plans to relocate the brewery in larger premises looked as though they might come to fruition,
and Martin sold The Hollins to Paul and Judith Beeley. Eventually, after failing to find new premises for the brewery, Martin also
sold the business to the Beeleys.
Paul is a consultant scientist, as well as a keen home brewer, and has used his knowledge of chemistry and process plant to bring
about a number of improvements. Judith Beeley has a West Cumbria connection: she was brought up in Flimby – her father was well
known local politician Joe McMillin. She is a tax accountant and has used her business knowledge to help the brewery. In fact
it’s a real family enterprise, with son Edward helping out as work experience during university holidays.
The change of ownership has brought a number of changes, but much has stayed as it was.
Paul Goodyear (left) continues as head brewer,
ably assisted by second brewer Gary Murray (right).
The brewery was completely renovated in 2005, with washable wall and floor coverings, new mash tun, copper and fermenting vessels all
linked by gleaming stainless steel pipework. The vessels were fabricated by a local firm in Kendal and a new grist box upstairs was made by
Paul Beeley. Three fermenters are now of 10 barrel capacity.
All the water used in brewing comes from the Hollins’ own spring up on the fellside. Malts come from Muntons of Stowmarket; hops
come from Charles Faram. Paul Goodyear uses eight different hop varieties, but the main ones are Northdown, Styrian Goldings and
Fuggles. Dent’s biggest seller is Aviator, a drinkable hoppy bitter beer, followed by Dent Bitter and Kamikaze. There are seven
regular brews, plus numerous specials. Paul has a collection of over 60 recipes; the specials are particularly popular on guest beer
lists and he usually has sold out of the next special even before he has brewed it. Most of the beer names have a connection with sheep
since the population of Dentdale is such that there are more grass eaters, many of them
grazing nearby, than beer drinkers. Thus, for example, the prize-winning 'Ewetopia', 'Ramsbottom' and 'Sunny Wether'
Beers are available in cask and bottle throughout Cumbria; Supermarkets Booths and Asda take large quantities of bottled beer.
Bottling is done by Hambleton brewery, owned by Martin’s brother Nick Stafford.
Beers are supplied to dozens of pubs in Cumbria and North Yorkshire, but many further afield; the website features
major stockists.
In 2006 the Brewery bought the George & Dragon in Dent village, which is proving a great success, offering the range of Dent beers along with
continually changing Guest beers from all over Cumbria and the UK, together with good food and wine. Dent beers are also available at the
other pubs in Dentdale, the Sportsman and the Sun.
Regular Beers Bitter (OG 1035, ABV 3•7%)
Fruity throughout and lightly hopped. The beer has a pervading earthiness. Aviator (OG 1039, ABV 4%)
This medium-bodied amber ale is characterised by strong citrus and hoppy flavours that develop into a long bitter finish. Rambrau (OG 1042, ABV 4•5%)
A cask-conditioned lager. Ramsbottom Strong Ale (OG 1042, ABV 4•5%)
This complex, mid-brown beer has a warming, dry, bitter finish to follow its unusual combination of roast, bitter, fruity and sweet flavours. Kamikaze (OG 1047, ABV 5%)
Hops and fruit dominate this full-bodied, golden, strong bitter, with a dry bitterness growing in the aftertaste. T’Owd Tup (OG 1056, ABV 6%)
A rich, full-flavoured, strong stout with a coffee aroma. The dominant roast character is balanced by a warming sweetness and a raisiny,
fruitcake taste that linger on into the finish.
Special Beers
Produced monthly, all at ABV 4•5%
DENT BREWERY LTD.
Hollins, Cowgill, Sedbergh, LA10 5TQ
Tel: 015396 25326 Fax: 015396 25033
Email: paul@dentbrewery.co.uk
Website: www.dentbrewery.co.uk
Brewer: Paul Goodyear
Capacity: 10 BBL
This information has been put together from articles orginally by Ros Berry (for What Ales)and Alan Risdon (for Cumbria Real Ale Guide)
