TWO York breweries are adding their support to a call for a freeze on beer duty.

Rudgate Brewery, in Tockwith, and York’s Treboom Brewery are both members of the Society of Independent Brewers, whose Beer Report 2014 reveals local brewers increased their sales by an estimated 7.9 per cent last year to 1.55 million barrels, meaning the nation drank nearly 33 million more pints of local beer than in 2012.

The society says the good news is largely due to the scrapping of the beer duty escalator in 2013’s Budget.

Craig Lee, from Rudgate Brewery, said: “This report should provide the Chancellor with much to cheer, demonstrating as it does the wisdom of his decision this time last year to end the beer duty escalator.”

With the 2014 Budget imminent, both breweries are joining the call by brewers across the country for a freeze on beer duty. John Lewis, of Treboom, said: “It’s good to know that our brewery is part of a successful and vibrant industry.

"2013 was a good year for us and we are hoping that, with continued support from the Government in the Budget, 2014 will be similarly rewarding and allow us to continue to invest in our local community.”