A CITY centre brewery and bar has grown to be ranked in the Top Ten list of things to do in York on travel review website TripAdvisor just two years after it opened.

Brew York, which also serves as a festival venue, a function room and street food space, is now hoping for award success after entering The Press Business Awards.

Vying for a place on the shortlist of the Retail, Tourism and Leisure Business of the Year category, the venture has not only grown into exports through its beer sales, but is also planning expansion for its Walmgate venue.

Brew York is in the process of expanding into an adjoining building in a move that will add a permanent street food kitchen and bar, the largest on-tap beer range in York, a hoptail lounge serving beer cocktails and running masterclasses, increased brewing capacity, classes for enthusiasts and home brewers, new canning equipment, seven more jobs, and a pilot kit to allow more experimentation and to enable groups or private parties to brew their own beers in manageable quantities.

Inspired by leading international venues, directors Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham founded Brew York in 2015 and opened the premises in April 2016. The duo had both been home brewers and had decided to turn their talents and passion into a business.

Mr Grabham said: “British brewing is booming but many of the newest breweries are opening on industrial estates on the outskirts of towns and cities.

“We wanted an accessible city-centre location where we could brew, showcase our own and others’ products, and where customers could sit and enjoy the beers almost within touching distance of the vessels.

“We exceeded many of our five-year business and product targets within a year of opening and are now growing the business extensively.

“Meeting our customers’ tastes, needs and aspirations is central to everything we do, particularly when serving visitors to our site in Walmgate.”

Since launching nearly two and a half years ago, Brew York has produced around 85 different beers, experimenting with styles from around the world to ensure they always have something for every taste in their tap room.

Our Friday and Saturday the business hosts brewery tours, led by founding directors or senior staff, so customers gain genuine expertise and insight. Tour guests enjoy samples and learn not only about brewing, but about the fine details of our beers, and the reasons for recipes and styles.