Micro-brewery Little Big Dog Beer might be the region's newest brewery – but it already has quite a 'tail' to tell.
Owner Geoff McCaughtrie took early retirement as a chartered industrial chemist to turn a hobby into a small business.
Now, in a week, he might brew more than 600 pints of beer from his double garage in Barrow-upon-Humber.
He has been supported in his venture by senior partner at RNS Chartered Accountants John Heeney.
Geoff said: “I've brewed at home on and off for years.
“I did do it from grains and hops in the 1990s but stopped doing it. I got into craft beer in 2015 and started the hobby again.
“I was able to take my pension early and thought I'd step it up. I started brewing professionally in September 2020 and sold my first beer in the October.
“I'm still in my early days and learning all the time.”
“The internet has meant everything is so much easier to buy. I've had yeast that has been packaged in California and, a week later, been used to make a brew here.”
It had been a “massive learning curve.”
“It is one thing being able to brew once, it is something completely different to brew it consistently and do all the other things associated with a small business, like selling and accounts.
“That's why I asked John at RNS to help.
“It is not worth the headaches to get the accounts wrong or get into trouble with the taxman, because they don't like how you've done something.
“John and the team look after me so that I can spend time doing the bits I want to do.
“I still spend a couple of days a week doing consultancy from home, then three or four days a week on the brewing.”
Long gone are the days when the garage was home to his car.
Now, it is full of top equipment to ensure he brews top quality beer.
A typical batch will be 120 litres (around 220 pints) and he may brew three times a week.
He has produced 25 different beers to date, with some having a high alcohol by volume (ABV) of more than 10%.
“I enjoy doing the different beers and styles. I pride myself on the quality of the beers I produce.”
The White Swan in Barton has taken one keg every other week since coming out of lockdown, with the beer clearly enjoyed by the locals. The pub also takes Little Big Dog Beer in cans, to give it a wide variety.
Geoff's sold to other pubs and built a home delivery run after publicity from Scunthorpe's CAMRA group.
Beer can also be ordered direct from his website (https://littlebigdogbeer.co.uk)
“I brewed around 3,000 litres last year. This year I expect it to be more like 5,000.
“Demand is growing nicely. I'm in the fortunate position to be able to do it more as a hobby. Any profit I do make is put back into the business. But it would be nice to think I will get a return on the investment I've made.
“To make it pay I may have to scale up, and that's another level of commitment. I'm just seeing how it goes over the next year or two.”
Originally from Bolton, Geoff lives with partner Diane. He moved to North Lincolnshire in 1991 and spent 28 years in industry.
They have no children but have one very important dog, Lewis, a Miniature Schnauzer.
He's the inspiration behind the brewery's name and is also featured on its website and cans.
Senior partner at RNS John enjoys supporting Geoff.
“It is an unusual, small business that still needs support with accounts and tax affairs,” said John.
“We're pleased to be able to help so that Geoff can concentrate on what he loves doing.
“He is producing a top quality product that I enjoy sampling!”