Self-proclaimed ‘beer nerds’ Phil Scholey and Alan Fitton-Crellin set up their brewing company, Crooked River Brewing Co, during summer 2022 in Cockermouth. Phil moved back to Cumbria having spent ten years living in Sydney, Australia, where he was inspired by the city’s vibrant craft brewing scene and brewpubs (pubs which brew their own beer).
Upon moving back to Cumbria, Phil noticed that while the craft beer craze had taken hold in the South Lakes, with breweries such as Lakes Brew Co and Fell Brewery, West Cumbria was only home to one craft brewery, Tractor Shed Brewing in Workington.
He also became aware – during his lunch-time runs in and around the town - of Cockermouth’s vacant buildings which had the potential to be converted into a brewpub or brewery.
With low levels of competition and suitable venues, Phil decided to seize the opportunity to establish craft brewery in Cockermouth and Crooked River Brewing Co was born.
Apart from a handful of homebrew projects, Phil had no experience in commercial brewing. So he partnered with experienced brewer, Alan Fitton-Crellin, who brought his operational skills to the business. With Alan handling the brewing, Phil could focus on managing the business, marketing and growing the brand.
Phil and Alan approached Cumbria Business Growth Hub for support to help set up their business. We paired them with one of our advisers, Gail Gravett, who guided them through the process, setting out the all the necessary steps and advising on their 77-page business plan!
Cumbria Business Growth Hub helped us overcome our biggest anxieties about starting a business. We accomplished so much in our first few months including a comprehensive business plan that has created the foundations for a successful start-up business and a good understanding of challenges and opportunities we otherwise would have overlooked. I wouldn't like to think where I would be now without them.
Crooked River Brewing Co - whose name is inspired by the river which runs through Cockermouth, the River Cocker, whose Celtic name, ‘kukra’, means ‘the crooked one’ - are currently in Phase 1 of their business plan, having purchased brewing equipment and set up shop in Alan’s workshop. Their set-up allows them to produce 120 cans at a time which they sell to local craft beer shops.
Their first range of beers was launched at Taste Cumbria Festival on 22nd September with pale ales inspired by Australian styles including an XPA (Extra Pale Ale) and a Pacific Ale.
Depending on the success of Phase 1, Phil and Alan, will look to scale up their business, which they currently run in their spare time alongside their day jobs. They plan to move to a larger premises with a working brewery and adjacent brewpub.
“The end goal for our business is to become recognised as one of the leading craft breweries in Cumbria and to expand the business to include brewery experiences and events, open a lake district tap room and to stimulate more tourism and trade to the area.”
Visit Crooked River Brewing Co.
Our Business Start-Up Support programme is supported by Allerdale Borough Council.
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