Trifter

The Black Sheep Brewery with its visitor centre in Masham at the gateway to Wensleydale is steeped in brewing history and tradition

It was formerly part of the Theakston Brewery .  Theakstons was taken over by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries and brewing was moved away.

Paul Theakston, the fifth generation of the brewing dynasty recommenced brewing their in 1992.  Unable to use the family name, which was now owned by Scottish and Newcastle, his first beer was called Black Sheep Bitter at 3.8% ABV

The brewhouse is laid out in the traditional tower style with mash tun, copper and hop back sited one above the over and gravity being used to take the brew down through the processes with fermentation taking place at the bottom in vessels known as Yorkshire Squares

The plant, vessels and methods come from a bygone past with some of the slate fermentation tanks being almost a century old.

Beers now being brewed include the 4.4% Black Sheep Ale, the bottled Monty Python’s Holy Grail at 4.7% and the 5.7% premium beer Riggwelter.

Shepherded brewery tours are held frequently, when visitors are guided around the brewery and being shown all the processes before sampling one of the traditionally brewed ales

The Visitor Centre has a spacious split0level bistro and bar which is open throughout the day for lunches and snacks with tea or coffee and during the evening for meals and dinners.  All of Black Sheep’s award winning beers are served in the fully licensed bar

The Black Sheep Gift Shop stocks over 1,000 brewery related items ranging from clothing through cuddly toys tp beer gift packs.  The shop maintains a mail order delivery service with a secure websiteoon for buying goods.  The shop has runs a hamper service.

Disabled access to most of the site is more than adequate.  However the design of the tower brewhouse with its flights of stairs does prevent disabled people from make the full tour of the brewery.

The Centre provides a marvellous venue for parties of all descriptions, wedding receptions, product launches and corporate entertainment.  The company puts on a series of special events including 60s and 70s nights, Irish nights and a Burns Night

Contact details for events, centre hire and bookings is on 01765 680100/689227.  Day tour times and bistro bookings are on 01765 680101