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Dr William Okell opened his astonishing Steam Brewery in the Isle of Man.
During the following few years Dr Okell set about procuring various Public Houses throughout the Island and promptly began supplying them with the magnificent Celtic Beer from his new but small brewery. Construction of the new brewery began in 1874 being built to a detailed specification drawn up by Dr Okell himself. These plans are also laid out in his book "The Falcon Steam Brewery". During 1994 a brand new brewery was designed and built at Kewaigue on the outskirts of Douglas. The Brewery was designed from the start to be a dual Ale/Lager brewery but the building of the Ale Facility was commenced first. The brewery went into full Ale production in August 94 and the lager brewing facility was then started.
Technical innovation was a hallmark of Okells Falcon brewery when founded in 1850 by Dr Okell. The doctor was the first on the Island to use steam to brew. In keeping with the Manx pure beer laws, the beer is produced using malt, sugar, hops and no additives. The skill of creating different flavours derives from the variety of hops, malts, sugar, temperature and length of brewing. Specific details of different brews are kept secret at Okells and are known only by two people.
In 1996 Okells Bitter won a bronze medal at the International Brewing Awards, which take place every two years in Burton on Trent and attracts entries from all over the world.
The competition is judged by professional brewers who are chosen from breweries across the globe. In 2000 Okells Bottled Olde Skipper was a finalist in the Tesco Challenge. In 2005, Dr Okells IPA was a Tesco Beer Challenge finalist and in 2006 this has been followed up by Okells Smoked Porter, 'Aile' becoming a Tesco Brewing Awards Finalist.
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