THREE is the magic number for an East Yorkshire brewery, which is going from strength to strength.
Staff at Wold Top Brewery are raising their glasses having won the Best Green Business at the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) Business Awards.
The business, based between Hunmanby and Wold Newton, also won two bronze medals in the national competition for Wold Gold and Shepherd's Watch drinks.
The award comes as the brewery this year marks its tenth anniversary.
Gill Mellor, who is responsible for marketing at the brewery, said: "We are really chuffed to have won these awards at a national conference.
"We are convinced all of the measures we take to protect the environment result in better crops and tastier ales."
Among the green measures the brewery is taking to safeguard the environment includes two wind turbines to power the brewery and the farm, recycling the hops as garden mulch, using reed beds to filter waste water and conservation schemes such as the Wold Top Wood.
Mrs Mellor said: "Green is something we wanted to embrace when we started the brewery.
"We grow our own barley, the malting is done nearby in Flamborough and the water comes from the farm.
"We also try to make sure nothing is wasted."
The Siba Business Awards celebrate the business development skills and entrepreneurial flair of Siba's 650 members and complement the organisation's Beer Competition, which recognises the best beers produced by smaller brewers.
When Wold Top was set up by Tom and Gill Mellor in 2003, production was 100 gallons per week, with no paid staff.
This year, production is up to 3,125 gallons, with a paid staff of 14.
Mrs Mellor said: "We hope to see more of the same in the future.
"There will be a summer biking beer and also a tenth anniversary beer."
Keith Bott, chairman of Siba, said: "Their entry was by far the most holistic approach, the judges felt, to green issues and a sustainable business for their view of a greener future.
"There are an awful lot of green initiatives, including wind power.
"Their overall view is to make sure they are protecting the local environment for a sustainable future.
"It is a great business based on integrity and ethical values."
