A NEW and expanding North Yorkshire brewery is hoping to open its doors to the public next spring.

Brass Castle Brewery, previously based in Pocklington as a nanobrewery, has now moved to Yorkersgate in Malton, with founder Phil Saltonstall saying the new location would allow it to increase production in line with demand.

The brewery has been awarded a string of prizes, including victories at beer festivals in York, Birmingham, Peterborough, Huddersfield and Gainsborough, while their Sunshine IPA was recently named overall champion beer for the north-east of England by the Society of Independent Brewers Association.

Phil said: “We are thrilled to be moving to Malton which offers us a central location and larger premises. The town being named as Yorkshire’s food capital has also helped our decision.”

His business partner Ian Goodall said: “It’s important to us that people can come and see the beer production process and we hope to open the brewery to the public in the spring, as the premises will include a shop, brewery tap and reception area.”

Brass Castle was formed in 2011 and produces ales such as Bad Kitty, Snow Eater and Cliffhanger, with its first Malton ale set to be brewing this month.

Its move was supported by Fitzwilliam Malton Estate, which helped it find premises and invested £30,000 in a new roof.

Tobias Burckhardt, the Estate’s surveyor, said: “We are keen to encourage new and existing businesses to move to Malton and we wish Phil and Ian the very best.”