Black Sheep Brewery

Infobox Brewery
name = Black Sheep Brewery


caption =
location = Masham, Yorkshire, England
owner = Paul Theakston (independent)
opened = 1992
production = 50,000 barrels
active_beers =
seasonal_beers =
other_beers = brewbox_beers|type=Bottled brewbox_beer|name=Black Sheep Ale|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Holy Grail|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Emmerdale|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Riggwelter|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Golden Sheep|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Yorkshire Square Ale|style=Ale brewbox_beers|type=Cask brewbox_beer|name=Best Bitter|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Special Ale|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Emmerdale|style=Ale brewbox_beer|name=Riggwelter|style=Ale

The Black Sheep Brewery is a brewery in Masham, Yorkshire. Masham is also the home of the Theakston brewery.

History

The Black Sheep brewery was established by Paul Theakston in 1992.

Paul Theakston had been managing director of Theakstons brewery since 1969, having taken over from his father, Frank Theakston. Theakstons brewery itself had been taken over by Matthew Brown following disagreements between members of the family and other shareholders. In 1987 Matthew Brown was in turn taken over by Scottish and Newcastle. Paul Theakston left in 1988, and after a hiatus of more than a year purchased the former Lightfoot's brewery (and North Yorkshire Maltings Company) site from an animal feed company.

Paul wanted to use the Lightfoot name to bring back an old brewing tradition; however it was discovered that this name had already been trademarked by Scottish and Newcastle. The associations of Masham with sheep led Paul to come up with the name "Sheep Brewery" which later became "Black Sheep" at his wife's suggestion.

The brewery produces a range of well-hopped bitters, to distinguish itself from Theakston's range of fruity and yeasty beers. The brewery quickly became successful after formation, and now produces over 50,000 barrels a year.

The brewery has capitalised on its popularity with a shop, brewery tours and the "Black Sheep Bistro and Baa...r".

Many pubs in Yorkshire Dales display the Black Sheep logo, even if they do not sell the beer; the brewery manufactures pub signage free of charge including their own logo on each sign.

The brewery re-launched their "Emmerdale Ale" as a lower-alcohol beer (formerly 5%) on 27th January 2006 at The Crown in Manfield for the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The launch party saw Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard from the Emmerdale TV series) pull the first pint of the new brew. The night also marked the rebranding of Black Sheep's "Special Ale" (in cask form) as "Black Sheep Ale", the name that it has been sold as in bottles since 1992, bringing both into line. [ [http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=11594 Re-launch story] Morning Advertiser - Retrieved on 2007-07-23]

Cask Beers

* Black Sheep Ale (formerly "Special Ale"), 4.4%
* Best Bitter, 3.8%
* Emmerdale, 4.2%
* Riggwelter, 5.7%

According to the website, "...Riggwelter takes its name from the local Yorkshire Dales dialect – when a sheep is on its back and can’t get up without help, local dialect says it is riggwelted [ [http://www.eurobrews.com/blacksheep/riggwelter.html Riggwelter] Eurobrews.com - Retrieved on 2007-07-23] . This dialect word comes from the old Viking words: ‘rigg’ meaning back and ‘velte’ to overturn." [ [http://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/Beers/BottledBeers/Riggwelter.aspx Riggwelter] Black Sheep Breweries - Retrieved on 2007-07-23] . Riggwelter is also popular in Sweden, being in the top 20 of bottled ales sold in that country [ [http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2004/12/8/30230.html Riggwelter exports to Sweden] The Northern Echo, 2004-12-08. Retrieved on 2007-07-23.] .

Bottled Beers

* Black Sheep Ale (formerly "Special Ale" in cask form), 4.4%
* Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale, 4.7% The official Ale of the Monty Python franchise
* Emmerdale, 4.2%
* Riggwelter, 5.9%
* Golden Sheep, 4.7% (produced specially for Tesco as part of their "Finest" range)
* Yorkshire Square Ale, 5.0%, named after a particular fermentation system originated over 200 years ago using double decked vessels called "squares" made of slate or stone. The brewery still brews some beers in 100 year old slate squares. This beer is available in Morrisons stores.

References

External links

* [http://www.blacksheepbrewery.co.uk Official website] of Black Sheep Brewery
* [http://crowninn.villagebrewer.co.uk/ The Crown in Manfield]