A BARNSLEY brewery which produces 30,000 pints of real ale every week is hoping to go into the international market.
Acorn Brewery is stepping up production, developing products and looking to sell its beer overseas for the first time.
The company’s ambitious plans are being supported by the Enterprising Barnsley business support programme, delivered by Barnsley Council.
Brewery manager David Broadhead said: "Our award-winning cask ales account for 90 per cent of our production and will always be our core business with sales still growing.
"However, we recognise the need to broaden our customer base in order to expand and boosting sales of bottled beer and developing a new product in keg beer are key objectives for 2014.
"Moving into overseas markets to sell more of our high-quality bottled beer is the obvious next step."
Acorn Brewery was set up in 2003 by experienced brewer David Hughes, his wife Judi and one employee, brewer Steve Bunting, who still works with them. It now has a turnover of £1.2m and employs 12 people.
Enterprising Barnsley business development manager Shaun Higginbottom said: "Acorn Brewery has put Barnsley on the national map as a real ale brewery with a tremendous reputation.
"It’s great to see them planning for expansion through developing new products and exploring export to get them on the international map."
Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, welcomed Acorn's expansion plans.
He said: "It's fantastic to see this local brewery from Barnsley go from strength to strength.
"Acorn is a fantastic local business who continues to invest in our area.
"Their beer is a fantastic example of Barnsley’s finest local brews and a small example of the great produce made in the town."
