He is only trying to satisfy demand but he appreciates it is not an ideal solution. On the other hand four breweries have seen benefit from his triumph and not just one. He is aware that he has nine months to capitalise on his victory, then someone else will have the glory and the pressure to deal with, and Coniston will see things return to normality. Ian's hope is that he will be able to train up his new apprentice Kevin Cooper who joined them just after the win and leave the brewing side increasingly to Kevin and second brewer Rob Irwin - in since the start. Ian will then be free to concentrate on managing the business and take over the running of the pub from his dad who, after 23 years is looking to retire.
Small brewers come in all shapes and sizes.
Many wish to grow, and many do not. It undoubtedly irks some individuals in larger brewery firms to see the country's most important brewing prize go to a firm that is happy with life the way it is. One that just wants to serve a local market and concentrate on doing what it does as well as it can, but those individuals are probably not brewers themselves, because what brewer would not admire the plucky little brewery on the shores of Coniston water.