Jennings could be brewing beer again as early as mid-January, executives of Marston's have told me. Casks and malt supplies have been lost in the floods and the bar and reception area have been ruined but most of the essential brewing equipment is on the first floor and has not been badly damaged.
Peter Jackson of Marston's told me that everything will depend on how quickly the electrics can be sorted out. In the meantime, Jenning's main brand, Cumberland Ale, will be brewed in Burton-on-Trent and pumpclips will have an attachment explaining that the beer is temporarily brewed in Burton until the flood damage is repaired.
Jackson said he was dismayed at media suggestions that Marston's would close Jennings. He pointed out that Marston's has invested £250,000 in the brewery. Marston's director of brewing, Richard Westwood, has been in Cockermouth for several days, overseeing work at the brewery to get it up and running again.