A BREWER from Pocklington who set up his own business has now won the Dame Brittan’s Festival Choice award at the Dales Festival of Food and Drink in North Yorkshire.

Pennine Brewery’s Real Blonde Ale sold out fastest at the three-day festival at Leyburn, having only started trading in January when it was set up by managing director Stewart Rowley, of Pocklington.

The brewery, based in Batley, West Yorkshire, now has more than 300 regular customers and sells 40 barrels, more than 11,500 pints, per week.

Mr Rowley said: “Winning this award in our fourth month of trading is fantastic news.

“The fact that it was drinker’s choice makes it even more special, because it tells us that our beer is loved by our most vital critics – our customers.”

The second most popular with the drinkers was Wensleydale’s Black Dub Oat Stout, and third place went to Leeds Brewery for Jubilee IPA.