Brewers can raise a glass to new beer

THE award-winning Acorn Brewery has rolled out its first barrel of famous cask-conditioned Barnsley Bitter made at its new home.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Sep 2007, 11:36 BST

Updated 20th Sep 2007, 09:44 BST

Following a 250,000 investment the Wombwell brewery looks set to see output soar from its new purpose-built production base, with capacity doubled to 100 barrels a week.

Acorn Brewery is now based on the Aldham Industrial Estate, only a short distance from the original brew-house at Mitchell’s Enterprise Centre.

It is now making direct deliveries to more than 300 pubs throughout South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and the Midlands, with beer travelling further afield through national wholesalers.

Ex-chef turned brewer Dave Hughes launched Acorn with his wife Judi and has seen rapid growth, while collecting some 30 brewing awards for the beers. A key boost came last summer when Barnsley Bitter claimed a silver award at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival.

Dave said: “We’ve had a few tough months to get up and running but now we can look to the future with confidence.”