A YORK brewer is looking to break into the US market after securing supply deals with the UK's major supermarkets.

Tockwith-based Rudgate Brewery is in early stage discussions with distributors to serve its award-winning ales on the east coast of America.

While eyeing up its first export deal to overseas markets, the brewery is planning a joint brew at Rudgate with Hogshead Brewery, based in Denver Colorado.

The news comes off the back of a busy summer which has seen the brewery secure listings for its bottled range in Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Asda, adding to its contracts with Tesco and Booths.

Owner Craig Lee, who took over the business in 2008 having worked there for 14 years, said: "It's a really busy time for us, but an exciting time too.

"It is fantastic to have the opportunity to take our beers over to America.

"It's a growing market, but the more it grows the harder it gets to break into as they start brewing themselves.

"However as they are trying to reproduce what we do, we can sell it as the original, and they are happy to buy UK beers which have the flavours they are trying to create.

"We are looking at sending over casks to start with, possibly in October, then will look to start exporting our bottled range, which will be easier logistically."

The US deals came off the back of a visit to a craft beers conference in America in April.

Rudgate Brewery, which employs a team of 12, was established in 1992.

The original brewery was situated in the former ammunition building of RAF Marston Moor Airfield which was home to the Halifax bombers.

The name comes from the old Roman road of `Rudgate’ which runs through the airfield.

The brewery expanded into a modern new facility in 2010/11 on the same site after winning a series of national awards, including being named CAMRA Overall Champion beer of Britain 2009.

The business was originally founded by former staff of Tower Brewery in Tadcaster, formerly owned by Bass, and laterly Coors.