Marking 20 years of brewing (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Marking 20 years of brewing
1:06pm Thursday 30th August 2012 in News
CHEERS: Celebrating Black Sheep Brewery’s 20th anniversary, from left, Jo, Paul and Rob Theakston with a pint each of the Progress ale
BREWERY has created a commemorative ale to mark its progress from a small village business to a nationally recognised brand.
This year, the Black Sheep Brewery, at Masham, North Yorkshire, marks its 20th anniversary.
It has bought out a seasonal ale, Progress, to mark its journey from being founded in 1992 by owner Paul Theakston, to the brewery and visitor attraction of today.
Mr Theakston’s family had brewed in the area for six generations. But he branched out from the family business to set up the Black Sheep Brewery in what was a derelict grain store in the village, once part of the Lightfoot’s Brewery. The business remains there today, but now exports its beers all over the world.
He and his wife settled on the name Black Sheep in response to the multinational companies dominating the brewing industry and to capture the family struggle that led to Mr Theakston setting up his business.
This year he became chairman to allow his son, Rob, to take over the role of managing director.
Another of his sons, Jo, is director of marketing.
