BREWER Craig Witty has proved all those long hours pulling dark Yorkshire pints have paid off.

Starbeck-based Daleside Brewery, which Craig runs with his dad Bill, has won a prestigious Champion Strong Ale award for its old favourite, Monkey Wrench.

The ale, described by Craig as "ruby dark, very smooth, very malty", won the strong ale category in this year's CAMRA Winter Beer of the Year competition in Glasgow.

Craig, whose dad set up the Big End brewery - later renamed Daleside - in Harrogate ten years ago, said: "We're trying to wave the flag for small breweries. This is great."

Locals wanting to try Monkey Wrench themselves can sample a pint at the Carpenters Arms, Fangfoss, Harrogate's Tap and Spile, or Blind Jack's in Knaresborough.

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