Jennings Cocker Hoop Tribute All Grain Recipe Kit

Jennings Cocker Hoop Tribute All Grain Recipe Kit

Cocker Hoop is a wonderfully traditional British bitter, combining a rich malt character with a creamy mouthfeel, fruity notes and a satisfying hop presence. The beer has a good hop aroma, while the initial taste brings together malt, fruit and hops, leading to a refreshing, pleasantly bitter finish.

Having worked in Cockermouth for a number of year this beer has a special place in my heart. Smelling it brewing from the other end of town and drinking it on a Friday evening after work, you can't get much fresher. Jennings is steeped in history including my own. From Lorton in 1828, to Castle Brewery in 1874, through takeover and closure in 2022, and finally back where it belongs, brewing again independently in Cockermouth in 2025. A pretty remarkable comeback!

Cocker Hoop. It's not simply a traditional British bitter; it's a beer with a genuine connection to our story, Cockermouth, the Lake District and the brewing heritage of Cumbria.

A Taste of Cumbria

Jennings has deep roots in Cockermouth and the Lake District, making Cocker Hoop an excellent choice for anyone interested in brewing beers that capture the essence of a holiday or a long walk over the fells.

This recipe is based on the recipe from the latest edition of Graham Wheeler's Brew Your Own British Real Ales.

What's in the kit?

All grains are supplied crushed and ready for brewing.

Malt

• Maris Otter Pale Malt
• Torrefied Wheat
• Black Malt

Hops

• Challenger 
• Styrian Goldings 
  

Additions

• 1 × Protafloc tablet

Yeast 

• 1 × Safale S-04 yeast

Brew Facts

• Batch size: 23 litres
• ABV: 4.6%
• OG 1.046
• FG 1.011
• EBC 20
• IBU 35

The Character of Cocker Hoop

The combination of Maris Otter, torrefied wheat and a small amount of black malt creates a beer with a rich golden colour, traditional British malt character and a pleasingly creamy texture.

Challenger provides the underlying bitterness, while Styrian Goldings added towards the end of the boil and after the boil bring additional floral and fruity hop character.

The finished beer should be balanced rather than aggressively hopped — a classic British pub bitter designed for easy drinking. At 4.6% ABV, it has enough character to make an interesting pint while retaining the refreshing qualities that make traditional bitters so enjoyable.