A West Cumbrian brewery, which has just moved premises, is aiming to double production by the end of the year.

Originally set up in a barn in Croasdale near Ennerdale Bridge, the Ennerdale brewery has relocated to a warehouse at Rowrah.

It opened its new site at Easter.

Since then it has set up tours, a shop, cafe and organised events at its new location. It runs open-mic nights for performers, and Sunday lunches and breakfasts are among the meals it offers.

Ennerdale currently brews 80 casks per week and moved in order to expand its production while staying in the area it takes its name from.

The expansion has seen the company create three part time jobs and it is looking to employ more staff as it grows.

Head brewer Marc Myers said:”We’re currently open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday which is when we need our new staff.

“As we increase sales we’ll increase production although it probably won’t be until the summer that we really get going.

“The main thing at the moment is letting people know we’re here, especially people from the local area. We’re organising all sorts of events. We want to be part of the community.

"We’re keen to get to some major beer festivals too, to get our name out there and perhaps pick up some awards.”

Paul Zanacchi set up the brewery with Barrie Roberts five years ago.

He said: “Although the barn at Croasdale is a quaint building in a lovely area it wasn’t working from a business and logistical point of view.

“We had to make a decision, do we expand or stay at the same level. If the answer was ‘expand’ we knew we’d have to move.

“The site we found at Rowrah is ideal and fortunately it was for sale."

The business managed to secure a grant from the Regional Growth Fund for £73,000 which amounts to a quarter of the £283,000 project.

They also needed a bridging loan from Enterprise Answers.

Ennerdale Brewery supplies cask beers to 120 pubs in Cumbria.

It is now looking to target the north east and Manchester with its range of ales, the core of that being Blonde, Wild and Darkest.

Those are complemented by seasonal ales such as English Pride, Ennerdale Pale Ale, Copper, Chocolate Orange and the Christmas Ale Ginger Beer’d.