Beer, Hockey Sticks and Pigtails!

Every year Copper Dragon takes part in the Skipton Gala and 2008 was no exception despite a very cold and rainy June day!

Loaded up with bottles of beer, St Trinians-clad girls and friends of the brewery, the 'Girls Aloud' themed float headed off into Skipton rocking to the on-board sounds of T-Rex tribute band, Total Wrex!

The weather didn't manage to damp anyone's spirits and the passion and effort of all was recognised by the float being awarded 1st place in the float competition by the Mayor and Mayoress of Skipton.

Highlight of the day was a procession through the centre of town led by one of the brewery drays and of course, Pippin, the Copper Dragon mascot who was collecting money from the public for local charities.

Brewery Marketing Director, Ruth Bennett was impressed by how easily the office girls managed to transform themselves into St Trinian schoolgirls and adapt to the role! The sight of hockey sticks, short skirts and pigtails putting a smile on many a face!

We would like to thank all the friends and staff of the brewery for making the day such a success and an even bigger thanks to all the public and Copper Dragon supporters who generously gave money supporting local Skipton charities.

Next year, who knows, perhaps Doctors and Nurses!

Click here for more photos

 

Brewhouse begins to take shape

Construction of the new Copper Dragon brewhouse is progressing at a rapid pace. All groundworks and initial steelworks are now completed and with the building really beginning to take shape, it isn't hard to picture what the finished article is going to look like.

The new brewhouse marks Copper Dragon's move to becoming the region's fastest growing brewery. Once completed, the building will be packed to the rafters with state-of-the-art brewing equipment guaranteed to help us produce the perfect pint of ale every time!

Scheduled for completion in September 08, tours of the new facilities will commence shortly after. Details of these will be posted on the website so keep a look out! Click here to view construction videos!

 

Pippin Past the Post

Our very own Pippin the Copper Dragon took part in the 2008 Mascot Race held at Wetherby Race course raising money for a variety of charities including Sue Ryder Care.

Pippin (or Stuart Cracknell to his friends) as well as completing the course raised the most sponsorship money out of all the mascots, a whopping £529.00. To reward him for his efforts, the organisers topped up his proceeds to the tune of an extra £50.00.

Everyone at Copper Dragon would like to thank Stuart for his efforts and fans of Pippin can see him leading the Copper Dragon entry in the Skipton Gala on Saturday 14th June. 

Copper Dragon Sponsorship

Copper Dragon are proud to be sponsors of the 2008 Mascot Gold Cup being held at Wetherby Race course on Sunday 27th April. 

The brewery's life-size Dragon mascot will be taking part in the race over the final furlong of the course (220 yards) in front of the historic grandstands.

The object of the event apart from being a great day out for all of the family is to raise money for several charities including Sue Ryder Care last year raising over £31,000.

Come and show your support for the event and in particular the giant Copper Dragon and we look forward to seeing you all on the day. CLICK HERE to download a pdf copy of the brochure.

Enterprising Times

Copper Dragon has recently won the opportunity to supply two of its most popular ales, Golden Pippin and Best Bitter to Enterprise Inns Northern outlets. The deal gives drinkers even more outlets where they can sample Skipton's famous ales. Pictured above is the latest Enterprise delivery comprising of 6-tonnes of real ale!

 

Work Commences

Construction at the site of the new Copper Brewhouse started this week. Bulldozers moved onto the new site (next door to the existing brewery) and commenced groundworks with a view to completion in Summer 08.

The new Brewhouse is the first stage of an exciting expansion plan for the brewery enabling Copper Dragon to significantly increase brewing capacity whilst at the same time continuing to produce high quality Yorkshire Ales from Skipton.

Managing Director Steve Taylor remarked, “A huge amount of hard work and planning has gone into the expansion project and to  see the diggers start work was extremely satisfying.

"We have exciting plans for the year ahead and would like to thank all our customers for their continuing support"
  

Plant 3 Commences

We were extremely excited today to take delivery of four high-volume fermentation vessels, hand-crafted to Copper Dragon's own unique specifications and despite horrendous weather conditions, everything went without a hitch.

The delivery is phase one of the creation of a totally new brewhouse marking the continued expansion of Yorkshire fastest growing brewery.

Beer production is scheduled to commence in the new facility in the Summer and we would like to thank everyone involved in helping make the project possible.

We will be releasing more information about the new plant over the coming weeks.

Click here to view photos 

Steve Taylor
Managing Director

 The Scotts 1816 sausage at the Cross Keys, East Marton

Bangers and Beer!

Love beer and love sausages? If you do then we have some good news for you...

Copper Dragon has teamed up with award-winning sausage makers, Ye Olde Sausage Shop, Oswaldtwistle to create the ultimate in sausages, The Scotts 1816 sausage.

Made with real Copper Dragon Scotts 1816 ale, locally reared pork and a variety of other top secret ingredients, the Scotts sausage is only available in selected Copper Dragons inns, each of which have created their own unique dishes.

These include The Cross Keys Inn, East Marton (just on the outskirts of Skipton) and The Black Lane Ends, Colne so why not give them a visit to try these unique bangers for yourself!

 The Scotts 1816 sausage at The Black Lane Ends, COlne

 

New Inn Keeper at The Cross Keys

Copper Dragon has recently acquired The Cross Keys Inn, East Marton on the outskirts of Skipton, a successful 16th Century traditional country inn located in the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.

To ensure continuing success and promote the already successful philosophy of the brewery, we have installed the infamous ‘Chalky’ Whyte as the new manager of the inn.

‘Chalky’ formerly of the Bluebell Inn, Kettlewell will be responsible for the enhancing the Cross Keys’ reputation and ensuring that quality and high standards are maintained and improved upon.

As a valued member of the brewery team, ‘Chalky’ is well positioned to promote the traditional values of quality inn-keeping expected by all our existing and new customers at the inn.

We would like to wish ‘Chalky’ all the best.

Steve Taylor
Managing Director
Copper Dragon

 

Yorkshire's Finest

Three of Copper Dragon’s cask ales have scooped awards in all of the four categories at the Keighley Beer, Cider & Perry Festival held 27-29th September 2007.

Highlight of the prestigious event was premium ale Scotts 1816 beating off competition from 90-other real ales by winning “Beer of the Festival” and “Best Bitter” categories.

Scotts 1816 is named after Christopher Scott who, in 1816, founded Skipton’s first brewery.

Two centuries later and thanks to the efforts of Copper Dragon, once again Skipton is producing fine quality traditional ales with the likes of Scotts 1816, a full-bodied hoppy bitter with all the attributes of Yorkshire beer at its best.

Other festival awards included second places for Golden Pippin in the “Beer of the Festival” and “Bitter” categories and for Black Gold in the “Mild” category.

“All of these are well deserved placings and are testament to the tremendous efforts of all at the brewery.” commented MD Steve Taylor.

The three-day festival was a resounding success with the Copper Dragon bar running dry by the Saturday lunchtime due to popular demand with the bar ten-deep at one point!

As a result of the awards, Copper Dragon ales will be put forward by the Keighley & Craven CAMRA branch for inclusion in the annual Great British Beer Festival being held at Earls Court, London, 5th to 9th August 2008

The group enjoying a pint of Golden Pippin outside their local, the New Inn, Clitheroe

Sense-sationAle!

Copper Dragon was delighted to welcome 11-members of the Ribble Valley Visually Impaired group to it’s Skipton brewery for a guided tour of facilities by managing director, Steve Taylor.

With visual impairments ranging fro