Unsworth’s Yard Brewery, Cartmel

Who is the brewer and how did you start out?

Peter Unsworth is the brewer at Unsworth’s Yard Brewery in Cartmel and co owns the brewery with his brother in law Mark Grunnill. Peter’s family has a long association with the yard, as they have owned it since 1922 and an Unsworth has worked there since that time, originally in the haulage and garage business. The idea to build a brewery came over a beer in February 2011, when there was also an empty unit in the yard to fill. Peter then saw a small scale brewery at a pub in Burnley and decided that the idea was achievable for their yard. The brewery is a 5 barrel plant, with brewing taking place twice a week. Peter trained with Colin Ashwell at the 3 Peaks Brewery in Settle, then creating his first beer in Cartmel on 20 January 2012. This was called Cartmel Peninsula, an ale still popular now.

What are the regular beers?

The beers often have a Cartmel connection and the regulars are Crusader Gold, Land of Cartmel and Last Wolf. Peter brews beers with a traditional English style, high quality with clean flavours. The brewery has a tasting room and bar in Unsworth’s Yard. Their cask beers are available locally at pubs including the Royal Oak in Cartmel, the Crown at High Newton and the Keg & Kitchen in Grange. Several bottled beers including Sandpiper Lager are available at restaurants including the Michelin starred L’Enclume and Rogan & Co. The bottled beers are only available to take away from the brewery and selected outlets such as Stockghyll Fine Food in Ambleside. This ensures Peter’s twin passions - his beer and promoting Cartmel work well together.

What next?

Peter aims to keep brewing quality beers which add to the overall visitor experience of Cartmel and encourages people to return.

Favourite beer?

Of his own beers, Peter dearly loves them all and says that Last Wolf is uncommonly good! Otherwise, he particularly enjoys beers from Allendale in Hexham and Bowland brewery Clitheroe.

Article with thanks to beer enthusiasts Chris Holland and Judith Moore.