3 Peakers - Sarah, Avril, Darren & Emma

Congratulations to Copper Dragon staff Sarah, Avril, Darren & Emma for completing the infamous 3-Peaks walk in a respectable time of 11 hours 5 minutes.

Despite poor weather and plenty of blisters, the quartet (who normally work from the comfort of the brewery offices) had a great day out and are even talking about trying to better their time!

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Hospitality at its best!

We were delighted to welcome Coutts & Co bankers and customers to the Copper Dragon Bar Bistro for an evening of fine food and drink.

The event went like clockwork with a tour of the state of the art brewhouse followed by an exquisite 4-course meal specially created by our chefs Karl & Marie Reader.

The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all and it really showcased the high quality of cuisine and service that we are able to offer corporate customers.

For further information on our corporate conferencing and evening packages, please contact centre manager, Amy Tenant on 01756 702130.

The Puppy Walkers Group at the Visitors Centre

We recently had some very special guests to the Copper Dragon Visitor Centre in the form of the North and West Yorkshire Guide Dogs for the Blind Puppy Walkers Group and their dogs.

Organiser Jean Endersby wanted the guide dog puppys to experience a social environment and where better than to visit a brewery!

The 16 dog and 40 handler party took full advantage of the Visitor Centre facilities, highlights included a tour of the new brewhouse for the handlers followed by lunch in the Bar Bistro.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is one of Copper Dragon's favourite charities and it was a pleasure to host such a special day out for a group of very special people and dogs.

Roy Dutson, Cooper demonstrating the dying art of barrel making

Craft Brewers Visit

For the first in time 3-years, the Scottish & English sections of the Craft Brewers Association selected the Copper Dragon Visitor centre as the venue for their 80-Shillings contest. We were delighted to welcome the delegates who made full use of the conference and banqueting facilities.

One of the UK's remaining coopers, Roy Dutson demomstrated to delegates the art of hand-manufacturing a traditional 9-gallon cask using only traditional materials.

The gathering was deemed a total success by all who attended and we were proud to be asked to host such a prestigious event.

The Yorkshire Hotpots (aka the girls from the office!)

It's nearly a year since Copper Dragon scooped top honours at the Skipton Gala 2008 winning best float in parade. With the 2009 Gala looming (13 June), the pressure's on to beat last year's effort with our 2009 theme, the "Yorkshire Hotpots" celebrating the success of the brewery Bar/Bistro.

Party Time!

The support from everyone last year was amazing and to celebrate the occasion, the Bar Bistro will be serving food (Bar Bistro menu & Specials Board) all day from 12 noon until 8pm plus we're hosting a post-gala party/BBQ (at the brewery 4-6pm) with live music courtesy of the brewery band (free burger for the first 100 visitors). All are welcome so come and join us and we look forward to seeing you on the day.

Pippin the Dragon proudly showing off cheque in the brewhouse

Staggering Effort

Congratulations to Stuart Cracknell aka Pippin the Dragon who took part in the recent Sue Ryder 2009 Mascot Gold Cup held at Wetherby Racecourse.

Stuart took top honours by individually raising the most for Sue Ryder Care (£620.00) and was awarded an additional £50 for his efforts.

Everyone at the brewery would like to thank Stuart for his continuing support and if anyone sees Pippin, the brewery mascot out and about, don't forget to shake his hand!

Brewery beauties Becci, Avril and Sarah, at your service!

Service with a smile!

Copper Dragon are once again proud to be principal sponsors of the 3rd Skipton Beer Festival being held at Skipton Town Hall 23-25th April. All 5 of our award-winning real ales will be available on hand pull being ably dispensed by our own brewery beauties, (from the left) Becci, Avril & Sarah.

In addition to Copper Dragon, there will also be a choice of over 60 other real ales on offer plus traditional Cider & Perry, European bottled beers plus a mild ale trail and hot and cold food.

The festival is open Thurs 5-10pm, Friday 12-10pm, Sat 12-10pm. There is an entrance charge of £2 on the door (free entry for CAMRA members). For further details visit the official festival website.

Assistant Brewer Matthew Taylor & Dougie Lampkin

On the Beer Trail

Copper Dragon was delighted to welcome 12-times World Trail Bike champion, Dougie Lampkin to the Copper Dragon Visitor Center today.

Pictured above with assitant brewer Matthew Taylor, local lad Dougie originates from Silsden and is rightly recognised as one of the finest trail bike riders in the history of the sport.

Dougie took time out of his busy schedule to take a tour of the new brewhouse and pop into the bar bistro for a pint of award-winning Golden Pippin and was 'very impressed' with the exciting new Copper Dragon visitor experience.

Dougie's 2009 season can be followed by visiting his website and everyone at the brewery would like to wish him the best of luck and look forward to welcoming him and his family again soon.

Pippin Past the Post

In celebration of National Cask Ale Week, Market Town Taverns asked customers from its 10-inns to nominate their favourite pint of cask ale.

The result? Copper Dragon Golden Pippin continues to be a popular choice with North and West Yorkshire drinkers who nominated it into second place beating off stiff competition from many other regional and micro brewers.

Pippin was originally created as a seasonal ale and now accounts for more than 50% of Copper Dragon's output and demand for this light and refreshing citrus ale continues to grow.

"I'm delighted to hear the news" responded MD Steve Taylor " its a refreshing change for a supplier such as Market Town Taverns to take the bull by the horns and decide to run such a competition. Naturally we're delighted to have done so well and would like to thank everyone that voted for our beer."

Coronation Street Star Visits Copper Dragon!

Coronation Street star Reece Dinsdale has recently paid a visit to the new Copper Dragon brewery on Snaygill Industrial Estate in Skipton to compare their ales with those served up in the Rovers Return!

The 49-year-old actor, who currently plays Joe McIntyre, in the long running ITV soap, was due to open the new £4 million brewery last November but was unable to attend due to filming schedules.

“It’s great to finally have a look around and taste the wares,” admitted Reece “and I have to say the Copper Dragon range of ales are as distinctive as they are refreshing. Watch out Newton and Ridley... there's a new kid on the block!”

Copper Dragon’s Head Brewer Gordon Wilkinson escorted Reece on a tour around the new 11,000 square foot brewhouse, visitor centre and bistro facilities and commented: “Being a Yorkshireman Reece recognises the importance of the hard work and passion that goes into our hand crafted ales. We might try and become a guest ale at the most famous pub on TV to help him feel at home!”

The brewery, which includes dedicated conference facilities, bistro and a comprehensive visitor centre, is now running daily brewery tours.

Founded in 2002, Copper Dragon is the first brewery to be based in Skipton for over 100 years and supplies Best Bitter, Golden Pippin, Scots 1816, Challenger IPA and Black Gold cask ales to over 1500 pubs across the UK as well as major supermarkets and foreign markets as far afield as Australia and Russia.

Anyone interested in booking a place on the brewery tours or enquiring about conference facilities can contact Visitor Centre Manager Amy Tennant on 01756 702130 or by e-mail amy@copperdragon.uk.com.