Meet the latest additions to the Black Sheep family

And it won’t be long before they are joined by equally adorable human babies as the latest addition to the Black Sheep family has just been born, and another three babies are expected among the Black Sheep team.

The Hebridean lambs are the first of the 14-strong flock’s eagerly anticipated spring arrivals and the continuation of an unbroken line which goes back to the Brewery’s founding in 1992.

At the time, brewery founder Paul Theakston and his friend, local farmer David Webster, decided that if the new brewery was to be called Black Sheep then it ought to have its very own black sheep flock.

David’s son Sam, 33, who cares for the sheep at Mowbray Hill Farm, near Masham, said: “They came up with this idea over a lengthy lunch and went straight out that afternoon and bought two black sheep.”

Since then, the Brewery has welcomed successive generations of both sheep and the Theakston family!

Rob Theakston, Paul’s eldest son, recently became a father for the third time when wife Lara gave birth to their son, Benjamin Robert, a brother for Sam and George.

Marketing and off-trade sales director Jo Theakston’s wife Liz is expecting their second child later this month.

Jo, who already has a son Oliver, said: “We’ve always said it is Yorkshire water which makes Black Sheep ales taste so good but clearly it is more potent than we realised!”

Also expecting are Marketing Executive Jess Burns, 27, whose first baby is due in June, and Trade Marketing Manager Louise Guy, 30, whose second child is due in July.

None of the mums-to-be at Black Sheep Brewery have chosen to find out the sex of their babies in advance and, even though they are already gambolling in the spring sunshine, the sex of the lambs is still a mystery.

Sam Webster said: “I’ve no idea whether the lambs are boys or girls. To be honest it doesn’t matter to us, just to them!”