Skipton-based Copper Dragon Brewery, founded in 2002, is now providing its popular range of brews to more than 1,000 public houses across the country.

It is also relinquishing its current base on Snaygill Industrial Estate and moving to a new site in the town, creating 12 new jobs. continued...

Copper Dragon produces five award-winning hand crafted cask ales - Challenger IPA, Black Gold, Golden Pippin, Scotts 1816 and Best Bitter.

Managing director Steve Taylor has presided over a year-on-year doubling in production since the brewery’s inception.

He said: "It’s an amazing landmark given that we’ve only been trading for 36 months and we are now well on our way to supplying 1,500 inns and public houses.

"The vast majority of inns and public houses that we supply are in Northern England.

"Copper Dragon is available in premises from the east to west coast and from Carlisle down to North Wales."

Mr Taylor added: "We pride ourselves on using the very best of ingredients, expertise and brewing methods in the creation of our range and this approach has seen us grow from a micro brewery to regional brewer status.

"Our head brewer, Gordon Wilkinson, is of the old school and is able to practice the art of real ale brewing free from the constraints of budget policy, but with the luxury of a state-of-the-art modern plant."

Mr Taylor said the firm was also aiming to increase its own estate portfolio, which currently numbers 10 public houses, to a target of 50 premises.

"We will also be developing our bottled beer business which is already making significant headway on the continent as well as throughout the UK," he added.

When Mr Taylor set up Copper Dragon, it was the first brewery to be based in Skipton for a century.

Jenny Speak