A Cornish microbrewery is celebrating its first birthday at the place where it all began.
Since selling its first pint at the local pub – the Rising Sun in Altarnun near Launeston – at the beginning of December, Penpont Brewery has gone from strength to strength, expanding the number of brews and doubling production.
The number of pubs and outlets selling the beer has also grown, after successful appearances at the Royal Cornwall, Liskeard and Launceston shows.
The brewery’s co-owner Dee Medlicott explained: “We realised we would need to double our production to keep up with demand. We extended our plant with two additional fermentation vessels and two of the three partners now undertake the brewing! Our beer travelled to many beer festivals at this time too, and was very well received at all.”
Penpont was also asked to develop and supply a special beer to commemorate Camelford’s 750th Anniversary of the King’s Charter celebrations, which it did by coming up with Cornish Avor.
“We wanted to experiment with unusual recipes too,” added Medlicott, “so we purchased three oak barrels used for 70 years to mature whisky in, and developed a heady IPA at 6.5% ABV!”
Like many new businesses, it has not been without its problems though. “We have had our ups and downs,” recalls Medlicott. “A wild yeast problem at one of our busiest times caused a major set-back. It has only been through the support we have received from pubs like the Rising Sun and the Blisland Inn on Bodmin Moor, that we have weathered the storm. And we have been humbled by the support we have received from local people who have been so generous with their enthusiasm and encouragement.”
And to celebrate its first year in business, Penpont Brewery is bringing the beer home to the Rising Sun Inn, where the full range of ales will be available. The celebrations will be from 11am-3pm and 5.30pm-11.30pm on November 27.
