Managing Director Edward Wood said: “Our sales of bottled beers were a very strong contributor to our excellent December, and our cask (barrel) sales were also healthy. It seems that people opted to drink more quality, full-flavoured British ales during the festive season, whether at home or in the pubs. We�re absolutely delighted, not just with the figures, but with the fact that people on a budget appear to have chosen traditionally-brewed beer over a host of other alternatives.”

Wood’s, a family-owned brewery with a workforce of 10 in Wistanstow, South Shropshire, recently completed a 400 square metre extension to its cool storage area.

“The sales were such that we were very glad of the extra capacity,” said Mr Wood. “We completely sold out of bottles of our seasonal winter warmer, Christmas Cracker, and of Shropshire Lad and Shropshire Lass. Several of our other beers were also near sell-out.”