A local brewery is preparing for the busy festive season after a successful year in which they won multiple awards and a spot on a prestigious parliamentary bar.

Great Corby Brewhouse was initially opened in 2009 and has now grown a reputation as one of the best breweries in the local area.

Great Corby Brewhouse’s 3.4 per cent limited edition ale, Tizzie Whizie, was unveiled in parliament last month and was awarded a highly prestigious SIBA Gold Award as the brewery continues to go from strength to strength.

News and Star: Brewer, Andrew at workBrewer, Andrew at work (Image: Isaac Cooper)“I think Great Corby is a really exciting place to be at the moment,” said Sandra Hall, the director of Great Corby Brewhouse.

“I keep saying we're doing so well at the moment because we've gone from not really winning anything to winning bronze, gold and silver award (for beer) and going to the nationals next year.

“The beers are doing really well, we're getting out there more and although things might be difficult, for the pub trade, but for us as a company the fact that people are drinking more at home opens a different avenue for us as a brewery.

“We've never made as many pallets of bottles – you wouldn't believe how many.”

News and Star: Wideshot of the brewery from aboveWideshot of the brewery from above (Image: Isaac Cooper)The beer brewing process takes around two to three weeks, and the brewery can have as much 3,000 pints brewing in one barrel at any one time.

The team at Great Corby includes head brewer, Anthony, brewer, Andrew apprentice, Matthew, account manager, Debbie and drivers Davie and Mike.

The brewery’s traditional busiest time of year comes in the summer months as they supply pubs across the tourist hotspots in the lake district but the boom in home drinking since the pandemic provides steady business throughout the year.

News and Star: Some of the barrels which can brew more than 2,500 pintsSome of the barrels which can brew more than 2,500 pints (Image: Isaac Cooper)Great Corby are not resting on their laurels either after a highly successful 2023, and plans are underway to transform their old headquarters at the forge in Great Corby into a taproom alongside beginning brewery tours.

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“Its like a family atmosphere here,” said Sandra.

“Everybody gets on really well, but we do have the occasional fight but that's good, because that's because everybody cares so much about what we do.

“We’ve had such an excellent year and we’ve got plenty of plans for 2024 so watch this space.”