The Orkney Brewery, in Quoyloo, has received a Golden Award for its dedication to delivering excellence, and its impact on brewing in the UK.

Orkney Brewery

The award comes from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), which asked members to nominate brewers who were still brewing great beer for drinkers today.

CAMRA awards director, Gary Timmins, said: “Winners have been chosen for their success in standing the test of time. They are breweries or cider and perry producers that have gone above and beyond in delivering excellence or innovation over the years”

The Orkney Brewery is the only brewery in Scotland to receive such an accolade, and one of only 18 throughout Britain. It was establoshed on Orkney in 1988, in an old schoolhouse building at Quoyloo. The brewery has been consistently recognised nationally, and internationally, for the quality of its brewing and range of beer.

Orkney Brewery’s managing director, Norman Sinclair, an Orcadian, whose father attended the same schoolhouse, said: “To be named as the only Scottish brewery, alongside some iconic and big brewers, is quite some recognition.

“I believe this upholds our reputation for brewing beers of great quality and flavour. For me and our team it is just brilliant news, and we hope also for our customers and consumers, as we start to enjoy some more of life’s freedoms after a difficult period.”

The award comes as the brewery celebrates another milestone. Normans’ son, Arran, has headed to Edinburgh to begin studying at the world-renowned centre of excellence for brewing and distilling, at Heriot Watt University.

Cask brewing for The Orkney Brewery started in spring this year, as pubs in Scotland started opening back up after lockdown. Demand has seen Orkney’s cask beer range now grow up to eight beers, including Raven, the first beer the brewery launched, the iconic Dark Island, and new beers Island Life and Cliff Edge IPA.