A cellar manager from Fimber celebrated his 20 year anniversary with a Wold  Newton brewery recently.

Tony O’Rourke-Kilburn was the first person employed by Tom and Gill Mellor when they founded Wold Top Brewery in May 2003.

Brewery director, Alex Balchin said: “Tony is our OG brewer, cellarman, drayman, cask washer and general good egg. He’s seen many changes over the last two decades and still turns up to work every day with his trademark smile. We genuinely don’t know what we’d do without him; thank you, Tony.”

Reflecting on his career with the business that is now run by Kate (née Mellor) and Alex Balchin, Mr O’Rourke-Kilburn said: “Highlights include brewing beers that I’ve helped develop the recipes for and competing in Wold Top cycling events. Memorable moments include the time when I was out delivery in the early days and accidentally dropped a cask into Scalby Beck. I had to fish it out with a rope and carry on with my round!”

When he’s not working, he enjoys cycling at a leisurely pace to enjoy the Yorkshire Wolds countryside and wildlife. 

Farm-based Wold Top brews award-winning cask, keg and bottled ales from home and Wolds grown malting barley, hops and pure, chalk-filtered Yorkshire Wolds water.

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