Yorkshire’s progressive Ossett Brewing Company is celebrating a brace of international crowns for its much loved Silver King ale.
Following the award of a gold medal in the fiercely fought English Pale Ales category of the World Beer Awards the more than 20 year old brand has triumphed at another prestigious global contest. Silver King (4.3%) first claimed a Gold Medal in the Pale Ale category and then the overall Trophy for ‘Best Ale Up to 5% ABV’’ at the International Beer Challenge.
Welcoming the news, owner and group MD Jamie Lawson said: “These terrific global awards for one of our original core beers are real testimony to the team’s passion for brewing the finest quality ale.”
The World Beer Awards (WBA) select the best from 2,200 beers across nine international styles. The International Beer Challenge awards only nine trophy awards across some 600 entries from 30 countries, including traditional producers Germany, Belgium, USA and the emerging beer markets in Asia and South America. A specialist panel of judges recognises winners as outstanding commercial examples of their style. Winning a trophy is hailed as ‘an incredible achievement’.
Ossett Brewing Co was founded by Bob Lawson in 1998 at the back of the Brewers Pride pub in Ossett, near Wakefield. Silver King was one of a few of the very early pale, hoppy brews in the UK cask ale revolution. In 2001 it was the brewery’s first beer to win a national champion award – the UK Specialty Beer gold medal at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).
Today Ossett boasts a modern brewery with a 27 strong pub estate including three brewpubs. Additionally, the group includes the cutting-edge craft beer and hop-driven brewing brand SALT based in Saltaire.
Jamie Lawson added: “Two decades ago Silver King was a pioneer of its style, long before the proliferation of pale lager-coloured ales. To win three highly prestigious international crowns today, amongst such a plethora of great brewers in the UK, shows the enduring strength of the classic, ageless, recipes we have created. These accolades are tribute to both to our original brewers and today’s dedicated team, led by head brewer Paul Spencer. They are especially welcome as we tackle the toughest ever times our industry has faced”
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Notes to editors:
Ossett Brewing Company has invested more than £3m in recent years in brewing capacity, warehouse facilities and new packaging resources, together with the new SALT Beer Factory at Saltaire, Bradford. SALT is an award winning, hop forward, micro-brewery and entertainment venue in a Grade II Edwardian tram-shed at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage village.
Leading Ossett brands Yorkshire Blonde, Silver King, Brunette and Excelsius are sold across the Ossett Pub Company estate of 27 pubs alongside hundreds of free trade accounts and selected wholesalers. Ossett has won many national and regional awards since the brewery’s inception in 1998.
*Excelsius (5.2%abv) was runner up to Silver King in the World Beer Awards 2020 (www.worldbeerawards.com) Further WBA acclaim came with stout Yorkshire Treacle (4.8% abv) snatching silver in the hotly contested Flavoured Porter/Stouts category.
During the coronavirus lockdown Ossett introduced both a local click and collect and a nationwide delivery service which remain available at www.ossett-brewery.co.uk or by telephone on 01924 261333
Press release from Ossett Brewery
For further information or photographs please contact:
Leanne Jackson Group Marketing & Events Manager on 01924 261333 or email: leanne@ossett-brewery.co.uk
Or Steve Hobman at Rhino PR 07751 578605/ stevehobman@rhinopr.co.uk