Old School Brewery, Warton

Who is the brewer and how did you start out?

Old School Brewery (OSB) is based in Warton, with Garth Whittaker as head brewer. Ren Wallbank and Ian Walsh are the owners and established the brewery in late 2011. At the time, Garth was about to be made redundant and so was looking for work. He approached Ren, who needed help clearing out where the brewery was going to be and bringing in the 12 ½ barrel plant bought from Lancaster Brewery. What started as a week’s work then became a full time job for Garth. He visited other local brewers and did some trial brews, with OSB fully set up on April 13 2012. Garth now brews two to three times a week, plus a ten barrel special beer once a month.

What are the regular beers?

Garth’s first beer was Detention, which is a golden session beer, that is by far the local’s first choice. Other regulars are Headmaster, Hopscotch, Blackboard and Textbook, all harking back to the origins of the buildings. OSB beers can be sampled at the Malt Shovel in Warton, as well as at The Tap in Kendal, the Eagle and Child in Staveley and further afield at the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. Every second Friday in the month, OSB itself is open. The brewery is in the former Boys’ Grammar ironwork and woodwork building. The regular range of beers can also be bought in bottles to enjoy at home at other times.

What next?

From small beginnings, OSB is proud to be using top quality ingredients in a lovely environment and Garth aims to keep producing the quality beers that are in great demand.

Favourite beer?

Of his own beers, Garth’s favourite is Detention, he says that it is amazing that the four basic ingredients of beer can produce so many flavours. His tastes are wide and he makes his choices depending on mood and circumstance. Another favourite is bottled Hawkshead’s Brewery Lakeland Gold.

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