A BREWERY is going from strength to strength — winning awards and expanding across the North West.

The First Chop Brewing Arm won bronze at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) North West regional awards for its black jaggery ale “Syl”.

Owner and head brewer Richard Garner, from Greenmount, Bury, said: “To win this award, which is voted for by fellow brewers and representatives from many leading companies within the brewing community, is a real honour.

“Not something I expected after just four months in my new brewery. Another of my beers AVA was awarded best beer in its class by the Bradford CAMRA beer festival recently.

“Receiving this kind of recognition from my peers in the brewing world and from fellow drinkers too is really encouraging.”

The Salford brewery’s beers are all available at the First Chop bar in Ramsbottom.

Mr Garner, aged 42, started out brewing beer in Bury and moved to new premises in Salford earlier this year. He is now planning to open a “brewery tap” at the brewery, which is located in Railway Arches just off Trinity Way.

Mr Garner has nine brews lined up to be pulled from the new pub.

He said: “We want this place to become a destination for the whole community.

“Places like London have done similar things and I hope we can follow their example.

“It just seemed a natural thing to do and I think it will be really well received.”

“People are looking for a different kind of space to enjoy a drink — a lot of people are bored of the same old places.

“I’m hoping to get people coming regularly and getting together with other people that are drinking our ales, that way we can get as much feedback as possible.”