A rapidly growing company that revived a brewing tradition in Ilkley is looking forward to continued expansion in 2012.

Ilkley Brewery has increased sales by 100 per cent and seen a five-fold rise in production over the 12 months.

The company, founded by Chris Ives and Richard Shelton in 2009, moved into a £150,000, 2,600 sq ft brewhouse in March, enabling it to double the size of its operation three years ahead of plan.

Following the installation of a new 1,100 gallon fermentor in October, it now produces more than 33,000 pints a week – 10,000 more than in March.

Mr Ives said: “The rate at which the brewery has continued to grow this year has been astonishing. Levels of demand have been higher than we envisaged meaning the fifth fermentor was a must if we were to deliver on every order. It’s been a fast-paced but exciting year which will put us on a front foot for 2012.”