THE team behind a Lake District craft brewery are celebrating after one of their most popular beers secured two top awards at a prestigious event.
Steamer IPA, from Bowness Bay Brewing, saw off stiff competition to take gold in two categories at the Society of Independent Brewers Awards in Bolton.
The honour saw Steamer crowned best bottle/can IPA and best cask IPA in the North West, earning it a place in the forthcoming national final at BeerX.
Bowness Bay Brewery owner Richard Husbands said everyone at the firm’s hub at Castle Mills in Kendal was thrilled with the recognition.
“Steamer is one of our most popular beers,” Richard added.
“The competition was really tough, so it’s great news that it’s not just a hit with the public but with the expert judges too.
“Everyone in our team works incredibly hard. We’re all passionate about making the very best beers so winning two golds for Steamer is wonderful news.”
Steamer IPA is among a range of hand crafted, Lakeland-inspired beers produced by Bowness Bay Brewing from its microbrewery in Aynam Road.
Richard, who is from Bowness, set up Bowness Bay Brewing in 2012. All of the beers in the range are named after boats or carry a Windermere theme.
The SIBA Independent Beer Awards are judged by fellow brewers and industry experts and are known as the ‘brewers’ choice’ awards.
They take place in eight regions across the UK with the champions in each category going forward to contest the national title.
SIBA’s chief executive Mike Benner was on hand to present the awards, held on Thursday.
He said: “I was blown away by the standard of brewing on display at the SIBA North West Independent Beer Awards and all of the winners should be hugely proud of their achievement – the judges had a really tough job separating out the best of the best.”
