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'{{Infobox Brewery | name = Black Sheep Brewery | image =[[Image:Black Sheep Brewery.jpg|200px]] | caption = | location = [[Masham]], [[North 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]], [[North Yorkshire]], [[England]]. ==History== The Black Sheep brewery was established by Paul Theakston in 1991. Paul Theakston had been managing director of [[Theakston (brewery)|Theakstons]] brewery, also in Masham, since 1968. He began at the age of 23, taking over from his father, [[Frank Theakston]]. [[Theakston (brewery)|Theakstons]] brewery was bought by Matthew Brown following disagreements between members of the family and other shareholders, and 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, in order to start a new brewery in [[Masham]]. Theakston 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 Theakston 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 27 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.<ref>[http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news_detail.aspx?articleid=11594 Re-launch story] Morning Advertiser - Retrieved on [[2007-07-23]]</ref> ==Cask beers== * Black Sheep Ale (formerly ''Special Ale''), 4.4% * Best Bitter, 3.8%. The brewery's best-known product, available at a large number of pubs in the UK.<ref>[http://www.blacksheepbrewery.co.uk/Beers/CaskAles/BestBitter.aspx www.blacksheepbrewery.co.uk]</ref> * 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.<ref>[http://www.eurobrews.com/blacksheep/riggwelter.html Riggwelter] Eurobrews.com - Retrieved on [[2007-07-23]]</ref> This dialect word comes from the old Viking words: ‘rigg’ meaning back and ‘velte’ to overturn."<ref>[http://www.blacksheepbrewery.com/Beers/BottledBeers/Riggwelter.aspx Riggwelter] Black Sheep Breweries - Retrieved on [[2007-07-23]]</ref> Riggwelter is also popular in [[Sweden]], being in the top 20 of bottled ales sold in that country.<ref>[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]].</ref> ==Bottled beers== * Black Sheep Ale (formerly ''Special Ale'' in cask form), 4.4% * Monty Python's Holy <s>Gr</s>ail 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== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.blacksheepbrewery.co.uk Official website] of Black Sheep Brewery *[http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000133.html "Paul Theakston is brewing again in Masham"] article by Michael Jackson *[http://crowninn.villagebrewer.co.uk/ The Crown in Manfield] [[Category:Beer and breweries in England]] [[Category:Yorkshire cuisine]] [[Category:British brands]] [[Category:Companies established in 1992]] [[sv:Black Sheep Brewery plc]]'