THE MP for Ripon and Skipton has raised a glass to celebrate a North Yorkshire brewery's upcoming25th anniversary.

Julian Smith spent a day at Hambleton Ales, helping to brew a beer and enjoying a tour of the Ripon-based Hambleton Brewery.

He rolled up his sleeves to 'mash' the day's brew - the first stage of the brewing process to mix the malted barley with water and heating the mixture in a mash tun - with guidance from head brewer John Morgan.

The resulting beer was a batch of the brewery’s Gluten Free Ale, recently awarded Europe’s best gluten free beer in the World Beer Awards.

Mr Smith said, “I’ve enjoyed drinking beer for many years, and it was good to see again fully what goes into producing this great British product. It was fascinating to visit Hambleton Ales and become part of the brewing team for the day.

"British brewers produce some of the world’s finest beers whilst at the same time creating local jobs and helping local pubs to stay open. They are a great British success story and deserve our wholehearted support.”

Hambleton Ales owner Nick Stafford said: “It was a pleasure to have Julian Smith MP brewing with us.

"The hands-on job of brewing beer is, I’m sure, rather different to his usual working day, but he embraced it with massive enthusiasm and helped us to produce a fine beer which will be enjoyed by many of his constituents.”

Mr Smith’s visit was part of a nationwide scheme organised by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group to encourage MPs to brew at their local brewery and to learn more about brewing and the importance of breweries to the local and national economy.