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North East brewer in award shortlist

A Northumberland brewer has reached the final round of the Young Rural Entrepreneur 2008 awards.

After completing his zoology studies, Thomas Hick decided that he didn’t want to leave his home county of Northumberland. Spotting the opportunity for micro brewing, he went on to achieve an MSc from Sunderland University’s Brew-Lab before setting up Allendale Brewing Company and brewing his first beer on Valentine’s Day in 2006.

The first commercial brewing in Allendale since 1887, Thomas designs all of his beers which are named after local wildlife, and now employs up to 18 people to help him to supply over 100 pubs across the region. He takes his products to beer festivals across the country, and is continually on the lookout for new opportunities.

Countryside insurance broker Lycetts and The Field magazine announced the five entries short-listed last week. Other entries this year ranged from organic farming to specialist food production; sustainable building to conservation schemes; and environmental services including recycling and waste management.

Jonathan Young, editor of The Field, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s entries. They really highlight the dynamism that young entrepreneurs are bringing to rural Britain, with ventures that range from brewing local ales - who could resist a pint of Golden Plover? - to investing in Anglesey’s first olive grove.

“As the other finalists demonstrate, it is not only food which draws people to the countryside but a shared interest in the future, bringing life back to communities through restoration of local inns; sustainable tourism or innovative technological approaches to solving environmental concerns.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .