A MICRO brewer is relaunching his popular taproom this weekend.

The weekly social hosted by Andy Herrington, of Ainsty Ales in Acaster Malbis, ended when the Government imposed lockdown restrictions.

The social fixture is starting up again this Saturday along with other the national reopening of pubs, bars and restaurants, and will then be held each Friday.

Andy said he was looking forward to welcoming back old friends, adding: "The Taproom has always been a nice extra at the end of the week to put cash into the bank. Now it is more important than that."

He said Fridays had taken on a greater significance as he seeks to recover from the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

From now on Andy will be selling directly to the public on Fridays through his community drive-thru from 12pm to 2.30pm, where people can purchase cans and beer in a box without entering the building.

The Taproom will run from 3pm to 9pm, extended by an hour so people can stagger their visit, with socially-distanced straw bale seating under large gazebos outside.

Andy is also introducing a Growler Club from 12pm to 9pm on Fridays when people can purchase and fill a four pint container at the Taproom at a discounted rate and receive their eighth fill free.

He anticipates the Taproom being busy, but hopes people will be understanding and follow the social distance house rules

"I am expecting I will have to turn people away," he said.

"We have a large licensed area outside the brewery. I have put two large gazebos up and some straw bales which have all been socially distanced, and we have added another drinking area, fenced off to screen the farm traffic because we are on a working farm. My landlord has been very supportive because he knows how hard hit we have been."

He added: "I really miss the locals and am really looking forward to talking to people in the village. The local community are really supportive."

Ainsty Ales has featured in a national campaign, #GREATInspirations, run by HM Government North, covering Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and North West of England.

The campaign is celebrating UK businesses, organisations and individuals who have done extraordinary things during the pandemic.

Andy said he was really pleased to have been included, adding: "I don't see me doing anything different to any small business owner. You put your time, money and love into setting up a business. Things change and you adapt; you have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it."