MICRO breweries in East Lancashire are raising a glass to news that the craft beer industry is bubbling up at an amazing rate.

A new survey has revealed that the number of small brewers in the UK rocketed up by 24 per cent over the last 12 months, jumping from 291 to 361.

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East Lancashire boasts a host of award-winning producers and they confirmed there’s no sign of the taste for real ale, from all ages waning. Worsthorne Brewing Company in Harle Syke was set up in 2011 and has won awards for its Old Trout and Chestnut Mare beers this year.

Head Brewer Rob Hockedy said: “The demand for our beer has definitely grown over the last 12 months. As soon as it’s casked up it’s on the way out.

“I think people are going off cheap lagers and are looking for a lot more taste. There are younger drinkers being attracted to it.”

Other East Lancashire success stories include Burnley’s Reedley Hallows Brewery and Blackburn’s Three B’s, which is based at the Black Bull pub in Darwen.

The Bowland Brewery Company are also quenching thirsts, offering beers with striking names such as Headless Pig bitter and Cromwell Stout.

Natalie Tyson runs Darwen’s Hopstar Brewery, which was set up by her dad Barry in 2004 and is now based at Rinus Business Park in Grimshaw Street.

She said: “The demand is growing and we’re getting busier and busier.

“We produce between 50 and 55 barrels a week and sell mostly to pubs and bars.

“But we have supplied parties and barbecues and had reports that younger drinkers are embracing craft beer.

“There’s something different to try every time and there is also a growing number of female real ale drinkers.”

The figures come from a survey carried out by accountancy group UHY Hacker Young that also found the number of applications to HMRC to launch breweries has nearly trebled in the last five years.

Spokesman James Simmonds said: “This dynamic sector of the drinks industry is booming as new start-up breweries are attracted by the growing consumer appetite for their products.

“Craft beer is viewed as an increasingly aspirational leisure accessory, so the profit margins available can be very attractive.”

But Rob Hockeday warned: “Some people think they’re going to make a fortune out of running a micro brewery, but that’s not really the case.

“We don’t want to be too greedy – we just want to produce good, honest beer.”