A passion for real ale led Neil Moorhouse to abandon his IT career and launch his own brewery.

His experience went no further than several brewery tours — but four years on, Milltown Brewing is going from strength to strength.

“I got into going on brewery trips and fell in love with the idea of having my own little brewery,” he said. “I got bored of IT and decided I needed a change.

“I got the premises and bought the equipment and went from there — I didn’t have much experience apart from learning as I went along, reading books and researching things on the internet.”

Neil worked in the butchery trade before switching to IT, working in the computer industry for eight years.

Mill Town Brewery, The Old Railway Goods Yard, Milnsbridge. Proprietor Neil Moorhouse.

Now his one-man operation, founded in 2011, brews two or three times each week, producing around 12,000 pints a month.

The name Milltown reflects Huddersfield’s rich heritage of mills and textile industry.

“It was a bit of a risk, like any new business,” Neil said. “It’s a question of whether you’re going to sink or swim.”

The 52-year-old designed his beers based on ales he enjoyed drinking — and was delighted to find others enjoyed them too.

Milltown’s flagship ale, Platinum Blonde, is brewed at his Milnsbridge premises, as well as Golden Amarillo, American Pale Ale, Sterling Gold and porter Black Jack.

Mill Town Brewery, The Old Railway Goods Yard, Milnsbridge. Proprietor Neil Moorhouse.

And he only has to pop up the road to see them being supped — as landlord of the Dusty Miller in Longwood, he uses the pub a taproom for his brewery.

Milltown ales are also served within a 10-mile radius of the brewery, at pubs, sports clubs and restaurants in Huddersfield, Halifax and Elland.

Milltown also recently rebranded its pump clips and signage.

Mill Town Brewery, The Old Railway Goods Yard, Milnsbridge. Proprietor Neil Moorhouse.

Neil said: “It’s been four years and we’re doing pretty good. I’ve no regrets at all. I would do it all again.

“It’s amazing how many people call by and ask how much it costs to set up a brewery!”

Looking to the future, Neil is content will his small operation — but said if the right pub came along, he may open a second taproom.

“Huddersfield breweries do something quite unique and quite niche,” he added. “It’s a nice little community.”