One Year of Crafting Moments
Just over one year ago, we opened the doors.
It still feels like we blinked and suddenly we're here. One year in, forty beers brewed. More than fifty events later. Lots more grey hairs.
We wanted to take a minute to look back at what we’ve done, say thanks, and let you know where we’re heading next. Also: we just threw a huge four day birthday party, so we’re obviously going to show that off too.
This is also the start of our blog, which is going to be the place where we share what it’s like running a brewery and taproom. We’ll go behind the scenes on how we make the beer, what goes into the events, and what it’s like trying to build a business with limited time and not much sleep. It won’t be polished or PR friendly. Just open & honest stories from inside the brewery — the good, the bad, and everything in between. Hopefully it’s useful. Hopefully it’s interesting. Hopefully it gives you something worth reading.
The Highlights
In the past twelve months, we’ve brewed forty different beers. That’s nearly a new beer every week, which is slightly ridiculous when we think about it. Starting out on a 2.5-barrel (450L in normal talk) brew kit with just four fermenters and four finished recipes — this isn't somewhere we expected to be. It's tricky to take a step back and appreciate the feat, and it's only now, when taking a step back to write this, that we realise just how far we've come.
Six of those beers are now in cans and available on the website. Which means anyone in the UK can get hold of our beer. This, on the other hand, is something we (perhaps naively) hoped to do within the first six months of opening. The reality was that due to the success of the taproom right from the off, we were constantly playing catch-up just trying to keep the taps pouring. It's thanks to all the amazing people who have supported us week in, week out that this has been the case — and ultimately has put us in the exciting position we’re now in. More on that later.
We recently launched trade sales, and now our beer is regularly pouring in over ten venues across Carlisle and the surrounding area. It’s been class to see our pints pop up at places we love, and the feedback we’ve been getting from venues so far has been amazing.
On the events front, we’ve hosted 53 gigs and events. That’s averaging more than one a week. From local bands & DJs, live sport showing and beer launches, the taproom has been anything but quiet.
Behind the scenes, the team’s grown from just the two of us — Joe and Fergus — to a team of nine. That includes Tim, our first full-time hire and brewing machine. He’s helped us level up in ways we couldn’t have done alone.
First staff party at Full Circle Brewing Co. in Newcastle
(This one is just for us...) We climbed to second-highest rated brewery in Cumbria on Untappd. No big deal (actually, massive deal, and we need to stop checking Untappd daily).
The Reality Check
Here’s the bit that doesn’t make it to Instagram.
Before we even opened the doors, we spent 18 months building the brand, gutting and refurbishing the building, and getting the brewery fitted out.
The unit had sat derelict for 16 years before we moved in
Where the bar now sits!
That was phase one. Phase two? Opening the taproom and immediately launching into the most intense year of our lives. To top it off, both of us became dads!
Fergus & Bonnie
Joe & Luna
We’ve been brewing Mondays through Wednesdays — messy, time-consuming and physical work — then flipping the space into a taproom for Thursdays through Sundays. Then waking up Monday and doing it all again.
Fergus making a mess
Joe making a mess
The work has been relentless. Trying to cram all brewing operations into just three days, then going straight into long, late shifts behind the bar is exhausting to say the least. The concept of work-life balance doesn’t exist in the infancy phase of building the brewery and taproom we wanted. Family time and social time have taken a serious backseat. This place has been our lives.
But here’s the good news: with more people on the team and a stronger foundation, we’re finally starting to build the brewery we originally imagined.
What’s Next
More beer. Bigger events. Better everything.
Let’s start with the new kit — because it’s a game-changer.
In the coming months we'll be adding five shiny new 800-litre unitanks to the brewery. That’ll bring us up to eight fermenters total. For you, that means more new beer, more often. It also means we can finally keg everything in-house. Fresher beer, better quality, and faster turnarounds — from tank to tap with way less hassle.
And with all that extra tank space we plan to let loose. Expect more one-offs and experimental batches catering to a wider range of tastes. We’ve had ideas on the back burner for months — now, very shortly, we will have the capacity to try them.
On the events front, we’re levelling up. This past month, we hosted some of our best events yet: Josh Rouse — American folk/indie legend — live on his UK tour at our little taproom. It was the kind of night we always dreamed of putting on. After a year of testing, tweaking, and learning what works, we’re confident we’re throwing some of the best events in Carlisle. And we’re just getting started. Bigger names, bolder themes — announcements coming soon.
Meanwhile, Cask Club is live. Every Sunday, every cask pint is just £3.50. It’s all about fresh beer, laid-back vibes, and slowing the pace before Monday hits. Sundays have always had a different feel at West Walls — a bit more local, a bit more chill — and Cask Club leans into that in all the right ways.
Finally, on the trade side: more tanks = more beer for more places. We’re already working with some cracking venues across Carlisle and the region. With the new capacity, we can expand properly — no overstretching, just solid supply and better support. If you haven’t seen us on tap in your local yet, you hopefully will soon.
About The Birthday Weekend..
We started planning our first birthday back in February. We linked up with Damon, the graphic design course leader at the University of Cumbria. This was the second time we’ve done a project with the uni — this time, the brief was to create new artwork to mark the occasion, from can designs to posters to all the social bits. The students absolutely smashed it. Big shoutout to the winner, Ryan Thompson, whose designs you’ll have seen on the socials, in our fridges, and in the taproom over the past few weeks.
We brewed a very special beer to mark the occasion - a limited-edition hazy pale ale. At 5.4% ABV, it bursts with tropical fruit, bright citrus zest, and a soft, smooth mouthfeel. A touch of dryness and gentle bitterness gave it balance and bite, making it seriously moreish. Brewed with a six-hop medley of Krush, Krush Hyperboost, Mosaic, Citra, Motueka and El Dorado. One to remember!
The party itself ran for four days. Thursday kicked things off with the first pour of our birthday beer. Four of our favourite venues joined in too: Thin White Duke, The Halston, Riverside Tap in Dumfries, and the Milbourne Arms. These places have backed us since day one, so it felt right to celebrate with them.
Friday, local indie/rock band Reavers took the stage, and we gave away over 50 cans of the Birthday Beer.
On Saturday, Dead Religion raised the roof, we handed out slabs of Nitro Man birthday cake to over a hundred punters, and Craig Bright kept the energy high into the night.
By Sunday, we brought things down to a cosy finish with an acoustic set from Holly Brook and officially launched our new Cask Club. Perfect end to a wild weekend.
We were blown away by the turnout. Genuinely. Seeing so many faces — old mates and new regulars — it was an awesome weekend, and we were absolutely blown away by the support everyone showed.
To Everyone Who's Been Part of It
Thank you.
Whether you bought a pint, played a gig, came to an event, or dragged your mate along for one or two beers — we owe you one.
Here’s to Year Two. Let’s make it a belter.
Joe, Ferg & everyone at West Walls.
