Surging demand for UK-brewed beer means the UK now exports more than 1 billion pints to 113 countries around the world.

Government figures reveal UK breweries exporting 1.1 billion pints of beer last year, generating about £630 million for the UK economy.

The rapid increase in exports has been driven by the rise in micro-breweries in the UK. Since 2010 the number of these small businesses has nearly doubled to 1,403.

The announcement chimed with environment secretary Liz Truss’ visit to Ilkley Brewery, which reopened five years ago and now produces 50,000 pints a week, many of which head abroad.

Ms Truss said “There’s no doubt we’re world leading when it comes to our food and drink – Ilkley Brewery is a shining example – selling Yorkshire brewed beer to the bars of Tennessee and Georgia.

“We want to see British businesses build on this success. That’s why we’re supporting them, opening on average almost three new markets every week since 2010 and demonstrating to international companies how attractive it is to invest in the UK.”

UK breweries are selling pale ale to China, Bahrain and Mexico, while bars, hotels and restaurants in the US purchased a record £147 million of beer last year. Belgium, famed for its beer, bought £93 million-worth.