Young and trendy

REGIONAL Brewer Young has toasted an 18 per cent rise in profits after a year of change following the sale of Britain's oldest brewing site.

Young's posted underlying pre-tax profits of 12 million for the year to 31 March as the firm said it had reaped the benefits of the company's transformation.

The company sold its Ram Brewery for 69m and entered a brewing joint venture with Charles Wells, which brews Bombardier bitter. That joint venture and its acquisition of Courage's ale brands from Scottish & Newcastle in January leaves Wells & Young's as one of the UK's leading cask ale producers.