Brewers Dave Hughes, Steve Bunting and Richard Hough

SOUTH Yorkshire-based Acorn Brewery is celebrating a hat trick of accolades from Sheffield Beer Festival as sales show massive growth on the previous year.

Acorn was the only brewer to win across three categories at the city's prestigious annual festival. Acorn's Old Moor Porter  led the way to scoop silver in its category, while Sovereign and Northdown Blonde took bronze awards in both the Best Bitters and Bitters classes respectively.

The success came as the sales figures to the end of September revealed a 21 per cent leap on the 2008 levels - just as an industry wide Cask Ale Report announced the cask-conditioned ale sector to be in growth nationally.

One of Yorkshire's fastest growing breweries, Barnsley-based Acorn began brewing in 2003 and has since invested in a new brewery to reach a production capacity of 100 barrels a week. Original core brews Barnsley Bitter, Barnsley Gold, Old Moor Porter and Sovereign have won more than forty awards.

Over the past year, both Yorkshire Pride and Northdown Blonde have been added to the permanent portfolio to strengthen the range and meet the growing demand for pale coloured ales.

Earlier this year Acorn also strengthened its team with the appointment of sales executive Matt Jackson and has since won new accounts in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cheshire.

The Cask Ale Report is produced for several industry organisations by Barnsley born author Pete Brown and claims that cask ale attracted 400,000 new drinkers in 2008, was served in 3,000 new pubs and now has a 13.5 per cent market share - up from 11 per cent in 2007.

Acorn founder and managing director, Dave Hughes, said: "When we decided to invest in a new brewery two years ago it was big risk, but our substantial sales growth clearly shows the wide acclaim that our beers enjoy.

"Winning three awards at Sheffield was particularly welcome as they demonstrate that our cask ales are much appreciated in our own heartland. "

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