The Ale Archive

The brewery: "Hawkshead Brewery began in 2002, in a barn just outside the village of Hawkshead in the Lake District...... In 2006 we relocated to the Mill Yard, beside the River Kent at Staveley, brewing on a new 20 barrel Brewhouse and built a brewery tap - The Beer Hall. In 2018 we commissioned a new state of the art Krones Brewkit and began work on our new Brewery in Flookburgh which was fully functional later that year in September." The beer: "A style that you don't see around too much these days, and what a shame it is! Hawkshead's bitter-sweet, malty red is just the ticket if you fancy something a little on different! Very much a traditional beer, there's plenty of earthy and grassy notes to be found intermingled with a strong maltiness and plenty of bitter rye licks." I like a red ale every now and again as regulars will know and this enforced that. Very tasty. 4.2% A.B.V. August 2021.   Related entries.

The brewery:   "Hawkshead Brewery began in 2002, in a barn just outside the village of Hawkshead in the Lake District...... In 2006 we relocated to the Mill Yard, beside the River Kent at Staveley, brewing on a new 20 barrel Brewhouse and built a brewery tap - The Beer Hall. In 2018 we commissioned a new state of the art Krones Brewkit and began work on our new Brewery in Flookburgh which was fully functional later that year in September." The beer: " A modern dark beer, with aromas of dark chocolate, treacle sweet flavours, roasted bitterness with a surprisingly hoppy finish from American Cascade hops."   Another tasty ale from the Hawkshead stable, I didn't find it too hoppy at all, a nice mix of flavours. Full bodied but not too heavy at 4.9% A.B.V. August 2021. Related entries.

The brewery: “Cumbrian Ales is a craft brewery lying on the shores of Esthwaite Water at the southern edge of Hawkshead village in the English Lake District. Established in 2003 our beers are all produced with care and pride using the wonderful Lake District Fell water.” The beer: “A robust dark ale brewed with generous amounts of Maris Otter, Crystal and Chocolate malts together with all English hops.” Another delicious dark ale from the North-West though not my favourite - but then the competition has been pretty hot on this trip. 4.3% A.B.V. July 2022. Related entries.

The brewery: "The history of the brewery dates back to 2003 when the Loweswater Brewery was set up using a small 3 barrel kit. It was sited in an outbuilding at the Kirkstile Inn and initially just supplied the pub in Loweswater. Demand grew dramatically from other pubs and for festivals.....In 2009, following negotiations, the Loweswater Brewery, acquired Cumbrian Legendary Ales. This 10 barrel brewery had been established on the shores of Esthwaite Water near Hawskshead in 2006 and all brewing was transferred to Hawkshead." The beer: "Lovely bitter with the amazing aroma and taste of English fruit and marmalade. Brewed with Maris Otter and lager malts, in cask version the beer won silver in the Champion Golden Ale of Britain." May 2024. Related entries

The brewery: "The history of the brewery dates back to 2003 when the Loweswater Brewery was set up using a small 3 barrel kit. It was sited in an outbuilding at the Kirkstile Inn and initially just supplied the pub in Loweswater. Demand grew dramatically from other pubs and for festivals. In 2009, following negotiations, the Loweswater Brewery, acquired Cumbrian Legendary Ales. This 10 barrel brewery had been established on the shores of Esthwaite Water near Hawskshead in 2006 and all brewing was transferred to Hawkshead." The beer: "Delicious amber bitter with a distinctive flavour from the combination of malts and American Cascade hops." May 2024. Related entries

The brewery: " The history of the brewery dates back to 2003 when the Loweswater Brewery was set up using a small 3 barrel kit. It was sited in an outbuilding at the Kirkstile Inn and initially just supplied the pub in Loweswater. Demand grew dramatically from other pubs and for festivals.....In 2009, following negotiations, the Loweswater Brewery, acquired Cumbrian Legendary Ales. This 10 barrel brewery had been established on the shores of Esthwaite Water near Hawskshead in 2006 and all brewing was transferred to Hawkshead." The beer: "World famous Golden Ale with a tropical fruit flavour." May 2024. Related entries

The brewery: “Cumbrian Ales is a craft brewery lying on the shores of Esthwaite Water at the southern edge of Hawkshead village in the English Lake District. Established in 2003 our beers are all produced with care and pride using the wonderful Lake District Fell water.” The beer: “Delicious amber bitter with a distinctive flavour from the combination of malts and American Cascade hops.” After all the big dark guns on my trip to the North Lakes this initially seemed a little lifeless but I rapidly grew to like it. It’s this sort of beer that brought me back to ale after years of drinking lager after all. A very pleasant good honest bitter. 3.8% A.B.V. July 2022. Related entries.