Harrogate Brewing Co have taken the two top spots in the first ever Indie Beer Awards North East, organised by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA).
Joe Joyce (left), of Harrogate Brewing Co, with Richard Hunt, of Brewlab
The brewery won gold and silver in the overall champions judging, where all of the day’s category winners across a broad range of beer styles fight it out to be named ‘best of the best’.
Harrogate’s Nidd Mild took overall champion gold, with another dark beer, their Harrogate Porter, getting silver. Narrowly missing out on the top spot was Hadrian’s Border Brewery’s Northumbrian Gold, in third place.
“We were so delighted to be voted Harrogate independent business of the year last year, but these Indie Beer Awards have really blown us away,” said Joe Joyce, co-owner of Harrogate Brewing Co.
“The North of England has so many great breweries, so to win two golds is amazing. It gets a little crazy when they are then awarded overall champion beer and runner-up for the whole of the region.
“This is a great lift for our small family business during these really testing times for independent brewers. Hopefully, it will encourage more people to try our beers!”
The awards, which were judged and presented at Gateshead Rugby Football Club Beer Festival, are judged by beer sommeliers, master brewers, and other expert beer judges from across the industry.
“Judging beers in a huge range of styles, the Indie Beer Awards really do show the very best the North East has to offer and the quality across the board was incredibly high this year,” said awards organiser Neil Walker.
“Huge congratulations to all of the catgeory winners and, in particular, Harrogate Brewing Co, who took home the two top awards of the day — a huge achievement in a very tough judging.”
