BOSSES at a famous Bolton brewery are raising a glass to the changing tastes of drinkers - and calling for more pubs to sell their beers.

According to the Campaign for Real Ale's 2006 Good Beer Guide, more real ales - 2,000 different ones - are being brewed than at any time since 1971.

About 80 new breweries began producing real ale in the past year, around twice the number established the previous year.

Britain now has more small breweries per head than any other country.

Each of the 500 "micro breweries" across Britain produce up to 30,000 barrels of real ale every year.

One in five barrels of cask beer is now made by micro breweries, up from 14 per cent in 2003.

Dave Sweeney, a co-director of Bank Top Brewery, on Ashworth Lane, Bolton, said the popularity of real ale was on the rise.

He said: "Those figures are certainly borne out by our experience. We are currently brewing about 60 barrels a week, which equates to more than 17,000 pints.

"There are landlords screaming for beer from smaller and micro breweries, because people like the taste as opposed to the more bland beers that are mass produced, but large brewers just don't seem interested."

The brewery boasts 13 regular recipes and supplies beer to 21 outlets across Bolton, including Barristers in the town centre. It is keen to find new outlets.

Mr Sweeney said: "It would be nice to think that the big brewers would maybe open their pub doors and let some of the smaller beers in, but their tenancy agreements at the moment simply don't allow it."

Good Beer Guide 2006 editor Roger Protz said: "The giant national breweries will tell you people only want to drink lager but we know there are people who do not want to drink heavily hyped, over-promoted lager brands.

"Beers with aroma and flavour are back in vogue and smaller breweries are rushing to meet the clamour from consumers."