Skinner’s brewery has started its 20th anniversary year in style by securing a contract win with the Co-op. The award winning Truro-based brewery will now supply 40 food stores across Cornwall and could sell up to 30,000 pints in a year.

The brewery will supply four of its ales: Betty Stogs, which CAMRA named Britain’s best bitter; Hops N Honey, Cornish Knocker and new addition Lushingtons Sunshine Pale Ale, which is made with Cornish malted barley and wheat.

While the Wooden Hand Brewery, based at Grampound Road, will also supply four of its ales, Golden Touch, Red Handed, Dab Hand and Hands Down, to 40 of the community retailer’s stores, and could supply an estimated 40,000 pints in a year.

Stuart Hughes, sales manager at Skinner’s Brewery, said: “We are delighted, the Co-op’s values and ethos are a great fit with our brand - we love to team up with organisations who, like us, seek to deliver great products and make a difference in our communities. To have our beers available in so many communities is a great opportunity, introducing more people to our ales and opening up new markets.”

The contract win also coincides with Wooden Hand developing a new range of labels designed to represent its crafted and handmade approach to brewing.

Andy Walton, sales and operational director of the Wooden Hand Brewery, said: “This is very exciting news, we are very proud. We are regularly asked where our beers can be purchased and so to reach so many more local communities is a great opportunity to build awareness of our brand and open up new markets for our business.

“In addition, the timing of the contract as we launch our new look - which is designed to represent our distinctive and unique identity and reflect the crafted, handmade, small local brewery that we are - couldn’t be better.”

Judy Naylor, ranging manager for the Co-op, said: “It’s exciting to collaborate with a breweries such as Wooden Hand and Skinner’s – the innovation, quality, passion and community focus make them prized local products and we are delighted to give them pride of place in our stores.

"We know that food provenance really matters to our customers – quality and trust is an important cue for consumers. Backing local produce is about much more than just ‘hanging out the bunting’ – Cornwall is synonymous with quality food and drink and the Co-op is committed to investing in its local communities and providing new opportunities to showcase and celebrate great local food and drink.”