Evenwood-based McColl’s Brewery was one of 15 from the North East which will feature in the latest book released by the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).
Brewery owner Danny McColl was alerted to the accolade last week.
He said: “It was just an email – it was so on the quiet.
“We were up at the CAMRA Beer Festival in Durham a couple of weeks ago and it all seemed to go down very well.”
McColl’s will be one of only 15 new breweries featured in the 2018 guide from across the UK.
The 35-year-old opened the brewery earlier this year and has already got his beers placed in a number of Teesdale venues.
He and the brewery team appeared at The Witham last month and Mr McColl was pleased with the reception.
“It was brilliant – people really seemed to take to the person who brews the beer being there to talk to them,” he said
“They’ve shown brilliant support to ourselves.”
Four beers are produced on site at the Randolph Industrial Estate unit – namely a golden ale, an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) a best bitter and a pale ale.
Mr McColl revealed the team’s IPA has been a surprise hit with customers.
He said: “I thought the golden ale would do well because it’s four per cent, but the IPA has matched it.
“The uptake has been brilliant because it’s so full of flavour and it’s something a bit different perhaps to what’s on offer in this neck of the woods.”
Relations between the brewery and residents were a little frosty earlier this year after disagreement and confusion over licensing on the site triggered complaints.
But a tour of the brewery for villagers held last Thursday signalled a thaw in any hostilities. Mr McColl added: “It was canny – we are very keen to make links to the local community.
“I think they really enjoyed it, they asked plenty of questions and had a few tasters. A bit more of an official tour is something we want to develop.”
When it came to the month’s ahead, Mr McColl was keen to build on the brewery’s early foundations.
He said: “We are trying to push on and kind of get more of our beer out there but in my heart of hearts it’s a case of consolidating and making sure we are comfortable going into next year.
“That would make me a happy bunny.”
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