A BEER maker is expanding as drinkers’ clamour for its ale fuels higher demand.

The Brewing & Distilling Company has installed a new bottling plant and will fit canning equipment to increase production in a bid to target new markets.

Bosses have also vowed to introduce a raft of new drinks beyond beers, muscle in on festivals and shows, strengthen distribution and firms up proposals to grow in foreign markets.

They added the North Yorkshire business, based at Dishforth Airfield, has increased year-on-year sales and lifted its workforce from two in 2014 to 16, with further jobs now on the market.

Paul Holden-Ridgway, head brewer, said the business is benefiting from drinkers’ appetite for new tastes.

He said: “Continued investment in our plant, combined with an endless desire for knowledge shows our commitment to our drinkers; they are at the front of our minds.

“We are on a mission to create the best-tasting product possible and to become a go-to for the most discerning of drinkers, as well as those just starting to get into real ale.

“The craft industry is changing and we’re proud to be leading the charge.”

That push, said Mr Holden-Ridgway, will be supported by a stronger plant, which is now capable of filling 2,800 bottles an hour.

He also said it has doubled its number of beers and will introduce canning equipment at Dishforth so it can take ales to new retailers and trade customers.

David Brown, owner, added: “We believe quality speaks for itself and we set up the business to deliver the best tasting brews we could.

“We aren’t conducting amateur alchemy in a shed, this is an advanced production line with international expertise.

“We’re immensely proud consumers and the beer-drinking public like what we are doing and this is reflected in our ongoing growth.

“This will see us expand beyond beer in the near future, providing a whole range of drinks under the brand.”

The company’s products are already on sale in more than 500 outlets across the UK, including venues in Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and London.