Last updated 14:13, Monday, 04 August 2008

AN Eskdale pub has inspired an American ale fan to launch his own brewery in the States.

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By Jeff Connor Woolpack email pics sent to pictures

Mr Sobel visited the Lake District two years ago, shortly after inn owner Dave Bailey had set up the Hardknott Brewery, at the bottom of the notorious pass.

Mr Sobel has always been inspired by English ale and he went straight back home to start planning his own version.

Although the west coast of America is littered with “craft breweries” it is unknown for any to produce true “Real Ale” as defined by CAMRA.

Mr Sobel then returned to The Woolpack Inn a further three times to learn the details of brewing and cask conditioning from Mr Bailey.

He has now finally brewed his first ales in his pub, Brewers Union Local 180, in the small logging town of Oak Ridge in the Willamette mountains, Oregon.

Mr Bailey recently had an email from Mr Sobel when he was sampling his very first crafted ale.

He wrote: “I have a half pint of Middle Forkgravity dispensed in my hand right now as I try to teach myself the hard way how to convince 300 million people about what beer should taste like.”

Explaining his reasons for launching a British-style brewery in the States, Mr Sobel said: “Having found the inn on a walking trip Ann and Dave’s enthusiasm for something different made me think that I could set up something similar in Oregon.

“I knew I wanted to capture the authenticity of English ale, cask conditioned and served in full imperial pints.”

Mr Bailey and his partner, Ann Wedgwood, are gaining a reputation for doing things differently.

He said: “With so many good microbreweries in Cumbria and many other artisan products available we stock a product range that marks us out as unique.

“We serve an interesting range of drinks on the bar beside the Cumbrian real ales, including Fentimans soft drinks and true continental pilsners.”

Ms Wedgwood said: “As well as the wonderful beer which is brewed with Eskdale fell water, Dave also produces innovative food using local and seasonal in ingredients.”

The Woolpack Inn can be contacted about drink and food on 019467 23230 or see www.woolpack.co.uk.