Two brewers are celebrating growth and success with one now producing beer at the rate of eight pints a minute following an 80 per cent expansion in the production of cask ales.

Gordon Wilkinson, head brewer at Skipton-based Copper Dragon Brewery, said the firm has become one of the fastest growing brewers in the three years since it opened its brewhouse on the Snaygill industrial estate.

Meanwhile, another growing brewer has embarked on a campaign to persuade diners to choose beer with food rather than wine. Ilkley Brewery is working with Great British Menu chef Stephanie Moon to explore the culinary craft of food and beer pairing.

Brewery boss Stewart Ross said the firm wanted to change the tradition of wine being the tipple of choice while eating and aims to put beer on the menu as a carefully crafted, delicate and flavour-filled alternative.

For the full story, see Tuesday's business pages