7 of the best breweries in the Lake District
There’s no shortage of excellent breweries in the Lake District – in fact, there are plenty to choose from.
The real challenge is knowing where to start. From tiny microbreweries to well-known local favourites, it’s hard to know where to begin.
To give you a helping hand, we’ve rounded up seven of our top Lake District breweries, highlighting their signature beers, unique personalities, and why they’re worth visiting.
Here’s a quick overview of our favourite Lake District breweries:
Top Lake District breweries list
- Crooked River Brewing Co, Lake District: Known for award-winning, hop-forward craft beers and a vibrant Keswick taproom with strong community spirit.
- Keswick Brewing Company, Lake District: A community-focused brewery producing bold, approachable beers with a friendly local vibe.
- Hesket Newmarket Brewery, Lake District: A small-batch, long-running cooperative making handcrafted, characterful ales with a loyal following.
- Ulverston Brewing Company: Creative, quirky beers with fun names that deliver unique flavours without sacrificing drinkability.
- Coniston Brewing Company, Lake District: Award-winning traditional ales and innovative brews served in a welcoming taproom with a strong local reputation.
- Ennerdale Brewery, Lake District: Bold, small-batch beers with inventive ingredients and quirky branding that stand out across Cumbria.
- Fell Brewery: Vibrant, flavourful beers paired with playful branding and a strong connection to the local fells.
Now, let’s look at each of these Lake District breweries in more detail.
1. Crooked River Brewing Co
Location: Keswick and Cockermouth, Cumbria
Type of venue: Taproom in Keswick, beer shop in Cockermouth.
Must-try beer: Pacific Ale, a gold award-winning session beer with big tropical hop aromas and bold citrus flavours.
The Crooked River Brewing Co is an independent brewery born from a garage-shed idea in 2022 and now a rapidly growing craft beer name in Cumbria.
Founders Phil and Alan turned local support into a full-blown brewery. In late 2024, they opened their flagship family and pet-friendly taproom in Keswick, where you can enjoy beers straight from the source and learn how they’re made.
Crooked River stands out for its award-winning core range and community spirit. Its beers have won regional gold and silver awards and include refreshing session ales (Pacific Ale), crisp lagers (Helles Lager), juicy hop bombs (DDH Pale), and bold West Coast IPAs.
They also host lively taproom events and socials that bring locals and visitors together, making it one of the most exciting new breweries to explore in the Lake District.
2. Keswick Brewing Company
Location: Keswick, Lake District
Type of venue: Bar, shop, and brewery tours available at its location in Keswick.
Must-try beer: Thirst Run, a golden ale with balanced malt flavours and bright notes of citrus.
Keswick Brewing Company has been a local favourite since 2010, born from a passion for full-flavoured beers and strong community spirit. Over the years, it has built a reputation for combining creativity and quality with a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Beyond brewing, Keswick Brewing is committed to doing things responsibly, with a clear eco policy focused on reducing environmental impact and operating as sustainably as possible – something that feels especially important in a place as naturally beautiful as the Lake District.
They also host regular Brewery Socials, bringing people together to try new releases, meet fellow beer lovers, and enjoy the lively, friendly environment that defines the brewery.
With its strong local roots, sustainability focus, and community events, Keswick Brewing Company is a true hub in the heart of Keswick.
3. Hesket Newmarket Brewery
Location: Hesket Newmarket, Cumbria
Type of venue: Small brewery in an old barn – contact the brewery to arrange a tour or look for their beers in local stockists (like Plumgarth’s farm shop in Kendal or The Old Crown Pub next to the Brewery).
Must-try beer: Scafell Blonde, a golden pale ale with a subtle floral aroma and perfectly balanced malt sweetness.
Hesket Newmarket Brewery has been quietly brewing since 1988. It started as a small cooperative project for local beer lovers and has maintained its community feel ever since.
Focusing on small batches, the brewery prioritises quality ingredients and careful brewing. Their brews are easy to drink but full of flavour, representing the charm of a local microbrewery that takes pride in its craft.
Though relatively small, it has gained a loyal following both locally and online, with fans visiting the brewery to see the process in action.
4. Ulverston Brewing Company
Location: Ulverston, Cumbria
Type of venue: Small brewery in the heart of Ulverston – contact the brewery directly to arrange a tour or look for the beer in pubs and outlets (like Booths) across the region.
Must-try beer: Laughing Gravy, a fruity, hoppy ale with hints of tropical citrus and a smooth, balanced finish.
Ulverston Brewing Company began in 2006 when founders (Paul and Anita Swann_ turned their garage brewing hobby into a full‑time business after the town’s last brewery closed. They named many of their beers after Stan Laurel films in honour of Ulverston’s most famous son, giving the lineup character and local flavour that friends and visitors love.
Ulverston Brewing has become a destination for both locals and tourists who enjoy quirky, flavourful beers with a story behind them.
5. Coniston Brewing Company
Location: Coniston, Lake District
Type of venue: The brewery is at the back of a pub (the Black Bull Inn). Beer is served in the pub as well as sold in shops and other venues around the Lake District.
Must-try beer: Bluebird Bitter, a smooth, well-rounded ale with subtle hop character and a gently balanced malt backbone.
Coniston Brewing Company has been producing award-winning beers since 1995. Located near the scenic Coniston fells, the brewery has a long history of crafting traditional ales while experimenting with new styles. Its ties to the local community and repeated CAMRA recognition have made it a staple in the Lake District beer scene.
Coniston Brewing’s range spans classic bitters to innovative brews, all delivered with consistency and care. Its reputation for high-quality ales and welcoming taproom makes it a must-visit for beer lovers of all kinds.
Side note: CAMRA stands for the Campaign for Real Ale, a UK-based organisation that champions traditional brewing methods and promotes “real ale” (beer that’s brewed from traditional ingredients and matured naturally in the cask).
6. Ennerdale Brewery
Location: Ennerdale Bridge, Cumbria
Type of venue: Brewery tap and bistro that serves local food and drink.
Must-try beer: Cable Guy, a rich ale with notes of caramel and subtle fruit, bold but smooth on the palate.
Ennerdale Lake District Brewery is a family-run microbrewery that’s all about creativity. Since opening in 2010, they’ve focused on crafting beers with personality. Visitors can enjoy tastings on-site or pick up bottles to take home, all while soaking in the family-friendly atmosphere.
Ennerdale stands out for its bold beers with fun, quirky names (like Cable Guy and Star-Spangled Nanna). The brewery experiments with unusual ingredients like smoked malts, local honey, and botanicals, keeping even seasoned beer drinkers intrigued.
7. Fell Brewery
Location: Flookburgh, Cumbria (with bars in Kendal, Penrith, and more)
Type of venue: Brewery located in Flookburgh which you can’t visit, but Fell’s food and drink venues are available for bookings and drop-ins. They’re dotted around the North, with venues in Kendal, Penrith, Chorlton, Manchester, and Stockport.
Must-try beer: Meadowsweet Farmhouse Pale, a refreshing farmhouse pale ale showcasing a delicate earthy sweetness with vanilla notes and a crisp, clean finish.
Fell Brewery was founded in 2013 by a couple of friends from South Cumbria who wanted to make the kind of beer they loved drinking.
Rooted in the landscape and community of Cumbria, they’ve grown from brewing small batches to running fun, relaxed bars in Kendal, Penrith, and beyond. The team genuinely enjoys what they do, and that passion shows up in every beer they brew.
Fell’s eye-catching, playful branding is also worth a mention. Every can and pump clip feels like a little piece of art, and their logo takes cues from the local fell landscapes.
The brewery is also committed to sustainability and local character, regularly collaborating with chefs and makers to push flavour boundaries while producing classic beer styles that appeal to all kinds of drinkers.
Explore Lake District breweries in style from a Coppermines Cottage
These local breweries each offer something unique, from traditional ales to bold modern craft beers. Pair that with the stunning Lake District scenery, endless hiking trails, and charming villages, and you have the perfect recipe for a relaxing getaway.
Staying in a Coppermines Cottage puts you right at the heart of it all, close to the best breweries, lakes, and fells. Spend your days sampling local beers, exploring hidden gems, and returning to a cosy, comfortable home base at the end of the day.
Take a look at our Lake District cottages to see what’s available or get in touch with the team.
