The Hooded Ram Brewing Company is sponsoring the award for New Business/Innovation at this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence and innovation is certainly the name of the game for this ale-drinkers’ favourite as they prepare to open new premises and eye new markets.

There’s no mistaking the new brewery on South Quay with the enormous ram’s head painted on the wall.

The architectural design, refurbishment and equipment installation have all been carried out by local contractors.

It’s part of the company’s policy to use local wherever possible and its exciting and ambitious expansion plans will generate further local employment opportunities.

The new building, due to open next month, will lay down a marker for brewing excellence on the island, providing the space to expand production and introduce a new canning line.

This will make the Hooded Ram the first brewers on the island to put craft beer into 330ml cans as well as bottles and there’s a good reason for it.

Cans will make the product far easier to export, into the UK, Europe and the US where British ales are already starting to become popular. The cans will carry the company’s strapline, reflecting its Manx roots ’crafted by hand - brewed with Soul - born in the Isle of Man’.

And, when it comes to quality, Hooded Ram will also be staying true to its roots.

Headed up by founder Rob Storey, the brewery stills uses ’quality ingredients and lots of them.’

These include the very best, internationally sourced leaf hops which gives the beer its depth of flavour, 18 varieties of premium malt and the top four varieties of yeast.

Surprisingly, the quality ingredient they use most of is good old Manx water - the sort that runs from our taps.

’The superior quality of the island’s drinking water is something we are extremely proud of... absolutely no purification is needed as part of our brewing process,’ said Rob.

In addition, the Hooded Ram team still embrace tradition Manx beer production methods. The Isle of Man Pure Beer Act (1874) states that only water malt, sugar and hops are allowed to be used as ingredients. And nothing more.

Hooded Ram craft beers are already available in the two new Hooded Ram pubs, one on the North Quay in Douglas and the other in Wolverhampton, where UK beer drinkers are now able to enjoy it too. Six more pubs are planned around the country, the next one in Manchester city centre.

Three of the beers have recently won prestigious World Beer awards: Amber Ram, Smokey Pete and Jack the Ram.

Rob said: ’We are very proud of our beers and just as proud to be supporting local achievement by sponsoring the Awards for Excellence.’

â?¢ Is your business new and innovative?

Showcase your achievements by entering the Awards for Excellence. There are 16 award categories offering opportunities for companies of all sizes, individuals, public sector teams and charity and cultural organisations.

You can find details of all of them and download entry forms at www.excellence-awards.im.