THE PUB trade may be in crisis but real ale business is bucking the trend.

That’s why The Nook pub, Holmfirth, has opened its own brewery.

The Brewhouse, which has four staff including Nook landlords Ian Roberts and Sheila Sutton, is built on the site of an 18th century brewery.

It has four regular ales – a blonde ale, a red ale and two bitters – which are sold at The Nook and Carniceria.

The Rat and Ratchet, Chapel Hill, and The Sportsman, Fitzwilliam Street, have bought a few barrels.

The Nook Brewhouse hopes to bottle its ales and sell them in nearby off-licences and supermarkets.

While the rate of pub closures shows little signs of abating, real ale and wine sales are on the increase.

Nook Brewhouse manager George Sims said: “I think part of it is due to people supporting their local businesses. People are getting tired of big brand lagers. They have a place but more effort goes into real ale rather than the same dull selection in every bar.

“The idea of opening a brewery has been mooted for years and we’ve finally been able to do it.

“I don’t think the pub trade downturn is over and the recession has certainly compounded it but they are riding the storm. The brewery is an extra source of revenue. Real ale is bucking the trend.

“There are a lot of places that have expressed an interest. We keep getting calls from beer festivals. When you trade with other breweries you get interest from further afield.”

For more information on the Nook Brewhouse visit: www.thenookbrewhouse.co.uk