Black Sheep Brewery
 | |
| Company type | plc (over 1,000 shareholders) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Alcoholic beverage |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Paul Theakston |
| Headquarters | , England |
| Products | Beer |
Production output | 70,000 barrels |
| Website | www |
The Black Sheep Brewery is a brewery in Masham in the Borough of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, England.
History
The Black Sheep Brewery was established by Paul Theakston in 1991. Following a successful launch as a Business Expansion Scheme, it became a public limited company (plc) in 1992. Theakston had been managing director of Theakston Brewery, also in Masham, since 1968. He began at the age of 23, taking over from his father, Frank.
Matthew Brown bought Theakston Brewery following disagreements between members of the family and other shareholders. In 1987 Scottish & Newcastle succeeded Brown as owner. Theakston left in 1988, and after a hiatus of more than a year purchased the North Yorkshire Malt Roasting Company, originally part of the former Lightfoot's brewery site, from an animal feed company, in order to start a new brewery in Masham.
Theakston wanted to use the Lightfoot name to bring back an old brewing tradition, but Scottish and Newcastle had already trademarked the name. The association of Masham with sheep led Theakston to come up with the name "Sheep Brewery" which rapidly became "Black Sheep" at his wife's suggestion. The first and original Black Sheep Best Bitter was sold at the Bruce Arms by its Landlord, David Young.
Following the launch of Black Sheep Best Bitter, they launched Black Sheep Special Ale which went on to become the brewery's first bottled beer and soon became available both locally and nationally. This remains the Black Sheep's flagship bottled beer but today is called 'Black Sheep Ale'.
In 1996, the brewery opened their Visitor Centre in Masham where customers could visit the brewery to take a guided tour, sample the beers and enjoy a menu of Yorkshire produce in their Bar and Kitchen. The Visitor Centre remains open to this day and is regularly listed as one of the best experiences in North Yorkshire.
In the late 90s, Black Sheep Best Bitter and Black Sheep Special Ale were joined by Riggwelter, a dark Yorkshire Ale which has gone on to become one of the brewery's most recognised brands. Shortly after, Black Sheep launched Monty Python's Holy Grail which was brewed with the official Monty Python team in celebration of the comedy troupe's 30th anniversary.
Due to ongoing success, in 2006, the brewery expanded its brewhouse and doubled its capacity at their brewery in Masham.
2010 marked a new period in Black Sheep's history as Paul's eldest son, Rob joined him as joint Managing Director of the business. Paul Theakston went on to become Chairman of the brewery before retiring in 2018. He still continues to champion the brewery in an ambassadorial role whilst Rob continues to manage the brewery as MD.
Away from brewing, Black Sheep are strong advocates for Yorkshire and continue to invest in their home county. Following the Tour de France in 2014 which passed through Masham to huge crowds, in 2018 Black Sheep joined the Tour de Yorkshire as the official beer of the annual event.
Today, the brewery continues to brew their classic core range whilst also creating a diverse and innovative portfolio of new beers in cask, keg, bottle, can and mini-keg. In 2017, they launched the 5 Barrel Project, a small project dedicated to brewing specialist craft beers which continues to see success in their local area.
In December 2018, Black Sheep acquired York Brewery out of administration along with four of their pubs.
Cask Beers
- Black Sheep Best Bitter - 3.8% Yorkshire Bitter
- Black Sheep Pale Ale - 4.0% Pale Ale
- Black Sheep Special Ale - 4.4% Amber Ale
- Riggwelter - 5.9% Dark Yorkshire Ale
Keg Beers
- Black Sheep Best Bitter - 3.8% Yorkshire Bitter
- 54° North - 4.5% Helles Lager
- Pathmaker - 5.0% IPA
Bottled Beers
- Black Sheep Ale ('Special Ale' in cask form) - 4.4% Amber Ale
- Golden Sheep - 4.7% Golden Ale
- Milk Stout - 4.4% Milk Stout
- Riggwelter - 5.7% Dark Yorkshire Ale
- The Monty Python "Trilogy":[1]
- Monty Python's Holy Grail - 4.7% Golden Ale
- Monty Python's Flying Circus - 4.5% IPA
- Brian - 3.9% Pale Ale
- Venus & Mars - 4.5% Pale Ale
- Velo - 4.2% Pale Ale
- Choc & Orange Stout - 6.1% Stout
- Imperial Russian Stout 8.5% Imperial Stout
- My Generation Session Pale Ale - 4.7% Pale Ale
Canned Beers
- Pathmaker - 5.6% IPA
- Limoncello Sour - 3.8% Kettle Sour
- Pineapple Milkshake IPA - 5.3% Lactose IPA
References
- ^ "Monty Python - Our Beers". Retrieved 19 December 2018.
External links
- Official website of Black Sheep Brewery
- "Paul Theakston is brewing again in Masham" article by Michael Jackson