A beer from the Orkney Island’s innovative Highland Brewing Company has been proclaimed the best cask ale north of the border.
> The fast growing brewery is toasting the ‘Champion Beer’ accolade for Island Hopping (3.9%abv) after beating off fierce competition at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) Scotland Region Beer Competition 2013.
> The brew first took gold in the standard bitters class (less than 4%abv) before claiming the crown from some 80 ales entered into the highly prestigious Glasgow event.
> Now Island Hopping – ‘incredibly drinkable hoppy, pale beer’ – will be judged on the UK national stage at the annual SIBA BeerX contest in Sheffield next March.
> It is the second consecutive year of triumph for Highland at the top Scottish contest – winning in 2012 with Pale Ale (4.7%abv).
> The eight-year-old Swannay brewery also scooped silver awards for both the Pale Ale (4.7%abv) in the premium bitters class and Orkney Blast (6%abv) for premium strong bitters, while Scapa Special (4.2%abv) claimed bronze in the best bitters category.
> A family run 20 barrel-brew-length plant*, Highland Brewing Co was founded by head brewer Rob Hill in 2005. Since then the beers have won world acclaim -including Champion Cask Ale for Orkney IPA at the Brewing Industry International Awards 2011.
> Celebrating the latest SIBA success, Rob Hill said: “This is further terrific recognition from our industry peers that we are brewing top class cask ale. We are delighted to win the contest for the second consecutive year and collect three other awards. Now we look forward to going up against the UK’s best in the national SIBA contest next year. “
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“This is another great boost for our plans to grow the business, which is already seeing sales spiraling at of some 30 per cent year-on-year.”
> Highland’s ales are now supplied to some 300 outlets throughout the Orkney Islands and mainland Scotland while also reaching many pubs throughout the UK via leading wholesalers. Ends/ ref: Highland PR 10
> Notes to editors:
*A brewer’s barrel is 36 gallons (288 pints).
> Island Hopping is brewed with American Citra and New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops.
> SIBA represents several hundred independent brewers across the United Kingdom and is one of the most prominent and respected bodies in the brewing industry. Regional beer competitions are held throught the UK to qualify for the annual national SIBA BeerX Awards.
> For further media information or interviews and photographs please contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino Public Relations: 07751 578605. email: shobman@rhinopr.freeserve.co.