Six weeks before Hallowe'en, strange sights have been witnessed around Pendle Hill – ugly, black-clad hags supping ale in the Rising Sun, Blacko, and others spotted near the village of Barley – all thanks to Moorhouse's Brewery in Accrington Road.

The film, which includes the dramatic story of the witches' arrest in the 1600s and journey to Lancaster Assizes, will first be used for an autumn promotion of packaged beers in the United States.

Salford-based production company Picture Coverage produced the film and actors from Burnley Light Opera Society took some of the roles.

In Las Vegas, two new bottled beers – Blond Bitch and English Owd Ale – will be unveiled while the much-celebrated Black Cat and Pendle Witches' Brew will be re-launched with redesigned branding. Next year it is planned to roll out the TV commercial, where the witches are seen enjoying Moorhouse's beers in a humorous pub quiz scenario.

Moorhouse's managing director, Mr David Grant, said: "We have taken this plunge into commercial filming as we prepare for the next step in our expansion. We have, of course, built on the strong Pendle Witches' heritage, which has been crucial to the image of our world class brands for many years."

But the 10-day film production was not without strange problems. Several incidents played havoc with the hectic schedule.

Dry ice, for use in the witches' goblets, was ordered but delivered to the other end of the country, while a smoke machine didn't turn up on the right day, a horse got lost around Pendle and there was a problem with a generator. Mr Grant added: "We successfully completed what will be an impressive film and commercial on schedule. Now we can promote our beers both at home and abroad with some imaginative material. It will be invaluable for our expansion plan."

The brewery now plans a major investment to double capacity and provide a state-of-the-art training and visitor centre.