The installation of another 100-barrel fermenter in the spring will raise its weekly capacity to 68,000 litres. The company is also expanding its road fleet with the acquisition of another van and investing in eco-friendly new brewing equipment designed to reduce energy consumption by at least ten per cent.

Skinners has recruited two more employees to take its workforce up to 30 for the first time in its 11-year history. It has also launched an on-line shop and an expanded range of drinks and related products for sale over the internet as part of an all-new state-of-the-art website.

“We are looking to double our capacity over the next three years, with more new jobs in the pipeline,” confirmed managing director Steve Skinner.

“In 2007 – our tenth anniversary year – we enjoyed sales increases of up to 20 per cent on our cask ales and 40 per cent on bottles. It was a struggle at times to cope with demand, and there is every indication that our business volumes will continue to grow quite substantially.”

The new website (www.skinnersbrewery.com), designed and constructed by Cornish web developers MicroAngelo, is highly animated and designed to be very accessible to all visitors to the site, including blind and other disabled people.

As well as offering all Skinners’ beers, lager and cider in any quantities, the on-line shop also features Cornish food products, clothes and other souvenir items – of its own and from other suppliers – and the company is currently geared to deliver anywhere in the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.

Skinners is also expanding its range of branded merchandise for sale at its brewery shop and other Cornish retail outlets.

GEARED UP for growth. The head office team at Skinners Brewery, where new investment will increase capacity by 20 per cent to build on a record year’s trading.