ONE of the region’s most iconic brands has appointed a new chairman who received a special visitor this week.

Ripon MP Julian Smith made the trip to the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham to meet with the new chairman of the brewery, Andrew Slee, and managing director Jo Theakston.

Black Sheep is a major employer in Masham and produces cask, keg and bottled beers.

It is a family business with six generations of brewing expertise, and recently beat a number of larger companies to win the British Beer and Pub Association “Beer Champion” award for 2017.

Mr Smith said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.

“I was pleased to discuss the progress they are making, look around the brewery and understand the particular challenges they are facing around beer duty.”

As well as a working brewery, Black Sheep is also a popular tourist destination offering guided tours, a gift shop and bistro and bar.