Two new Lake District beers hit the pumps (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Two new Lake District beers hit the pumps

3:10pm Tuesday 5th June 2012 in Business By Helen Perkins, Reporter

TWO new Lake District beers have hit the pumps after the launch of a new micro-brewery in Cumbria.

Pints of Swan Blonde and Swift Bitter have been masterminded by Bowness Bay Brewing.

Ronnie Mullin, of Kendal, and Richard Husbands, of Bowness, have named their first tipple after historic Windermere steamers.

The theme is set to continue with plans to brew a wheat beer called Teal Beer, inspired by another Lakeland vessel.

The business partners say they also plan to create a fourth, speciality coffee beer later this year.

Head brewer Richard, 42, of Bowness, said: “I’ve been brewing at home for many years and wanted to make a bigger thing of it. Ronnie is into food and wine and we had a chat about what we could do and that was that.

“We’ve given the beers a Windermere theme because it’s such an historic place, and the boats are very much a part of it.”

Business partner Ronnie, of Kendal, said the pair purchased manufacturing equipment from Norwich-based Northcote brewery, which closed in January.

They transported a five-barrel kit, capable of generating 180 gallons of beer in a brew, north to Cumbria in a 35-foot trailer.

The 59-year-old, who owns graphic design business Mullin Design, said: “We’re currently brewing part time but we will see where it leads.

“We’re delighted with the first response from people who have tried it so far.”