Beer was first brewed at the Duck in 1997 by John Lloyd in a single barrel tucked away in the cellars of the Inn. He began making our first beer, Cracker Ale, with the help of Yates’ Brewery founder Peter Yates.

With these modest facilities we were able to produce up to four barrels a week. Meanwhile, in the bar the thirst for Cracker Ale swelled and the beer began to provoke interest from pubs in the surrounding area.

In June 1999 Barngates Brewery Ltd was founded, a new purpose built, five-barrel plant.
This enabled us to brew twenty barrels a week and seven ales: Cat Nap, Cracker Ale, Pride of Westmorland, Westmorland Gold, Tag Lag, Red Bull Terrier and Chesters Strong & Ugly. In 2006 to celebrate the 1000th brew and 9 years of brewing we released K9 ‘Commemorative Ale’ and the following year, 1077, our 10th Anniversary Ale was added to our rapidly growing list of beers.

During the first quarter of 2008, we installed a brand new 10 barrel brew plant. We now have the capacity to produce 30 barrels a week.

The Brewery, in its stunning lowland fell location, benefits immensely from using its own water supply in the brewing process. This unique natural resource is gathered from these same fells and is free of additives - with its light peaty colour (reminiscent of a malt whisky) it is the distinctive foundation of each beer.