The People
Cumbrian Legendary Ales was launched in June 2006 by David and Liz Newham and their partners David and Gill Frost.
In March 2009 Roger and Helen Humphreys, owners of the Loweswater Brewery acquired the business as part of a planned expansion. Production continues at the Old hall Brewery under the supervision of experienced head brewer Hayley Barton, assisted by Steven Stead and David Sumner. Former Loweswater brewer Matt Webster also plays an important role on sales.
Location
Esthwaite Old Hall and Esthwaite Hall farmstead.
Finding a suitable location for the microbrewery was a little more difficult, but proved well worth the effort and patience.
At the end of 2005, after many weeks of searching for an appropriate building in every nook and cranny around where they lived, David and Liz discovered a group of traditional barns at Esthwaite Old Hall on the Graythwaite Estate near Hawkshead in the Cumbrian Lake District. They knew immediately that they had found a home for their brewery.
In May 2006, following a complete renovation programme, Old Hall Brewery became a reality and moved into one of these traditionally restored barns, situated in a truly magical position on the shores of Esthwaite Water amidst breathtaking scenery... [more about the location]
History
The history of the barn complex that houses Old Hall Brewery starts in the mid 1500’s. It was then that Edwin Sandys built a cruck barn in the grounds of Esthwaite Old Hall where he was born in 1519. Edwin later rose to power and prominence, firstly as Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University and later as the Archbishop of York. His marriage to Cicely Wilford produced six sons and two daughters – and so began the line that descends directly to Myles Sandys, the present owner of the Graythwaite Estate [more about the history]