indeed the brewing plant itself was created by Paul Ambler, Head Brewer since 1992 and later Operations Director. Paul Ambler has now retired. Comments Paul Theakston, "Over the years, Paul Ambler has been a fierce champion of the quality of our beer, which is the keystone of our success". Nevertheless, a growing share of its sales is in on-cask form. All bottled beers brewed by the Black Sheep Brewery are suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. Cask beers Black Sheep Ale (formerly Special Ale), 4.4% Best Bitter, 3.8%. The brewery's best-known product, available at a large number of pubs in the UK. Riggwelter, 5.9% Golden Sheep, 3.9% According to the website, "...Riggwelter takes its name from the local Yorkshire Dales dialect – when a sheep is on its back and can’t get up without help, local dialect says it is riggwelted. This dialect word comes from the old Viking words: ‘rigg’(rygg) meaning back and ‘velte’ to overturn (the words and their meaning are still largely the same in the modern North Germanic languages). Riggwelter is also popular in Sweden, being in the top 20 of bottled ales sold in that country. Bottled beers Black Sheep Ale (formerly Special Ale in cask form), 4.4% The Monty Python "Trilogy": Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale, 4.7% – a golden ale Monty Python's Flying Circus, 4.5% – an IPA Brian, 3.9% – a pale ale Riggwelter, 5.7% Golden Sheep, 4.7% – originally produced specially for Tesco, as part of their "Finest" range Yorkshire Square Ale, 5.0% – named after a particular fermentation system originated over 200 years ago using double decked vessels called "squares" made of slate or stone. The brewery stopped using the slate squares 10 years ago and replaced them with modern stainless steel round equivalents. The label's distinctive square sheep icon and sunset background was designed by Middlesbrough born artist Mackenzie Thorpe. Imperial Russian, 8.5% – special brew porter All Creatures "Bright and Beautiful", 4.0% – brewed in celebration of the famous veterinary character James Herriot Velo, 4.2% – Originally brewed in 2014 to celebrate the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in Yorkshire, which passed the gates of the brewery References External links Official website of Black Sheep Brewery "Paul Theakston is brewing again in Masham" article by Michael Jackson Breweries in Yorkshire Companies based in the Borough of Harrogate British companies established in 1992 Food and drink companies