IT was an idea formed over a few Christmas drinks.

Husband and wife Les and Janet Dove were discussing local beer with friends Tony Hulme and wife Rowena Curley when they decided to give it a try themselves.

With a combined brewing experience amounting to nothing more than home brew, the chances of success didn't look promising.

Weeks later they were launching Howard Town Brewery in Glossop and, determined to make it work, they went on training courses to learn the tricks of the trade.

But disaster struck on the first anniversary of the brewery opening, when it was destroyed by fire. Intent on carrying on, the team started again from scratch and set up in Hawkshead Mill.

Now, two years after they teamed up to create the brewery, they are celebrating scooping a top award.

They won best independently-brewed ale in the country with Wren's Nest beer at a Society of Independent Brewers' ceremony.

Les, 48, who also works as an engineer, said: "When they announced us as winners it was such a shock.

"I said something like `oh my goodness' and we've been on cloud nine ever since.

"We hope this will now give us national exposure and we will get people coming to us wanting to do some wholesaling."

Howard Town Brewery produces five main beers: Wren's Nest, Dinting Arches, Howard Town Bitter, Glott's Hop and Bleaklow.

Tony, 56, and Janet, 44, a former teacher, work full time in the brewery and Rowena still works as a teacher. Tweet