Artefact Brewing in Ixworth, near Bury St Edmunds, takes home second national beer award

An Ixworth-based microbrewery has won its second national accolade in as many years at the Society for Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Beer Awards.

Artefact Brewing, run by co-founding husband and wife team, James Phillips and Kat Lawson-Phillips, picked up a national silver award for their Heritage Ruby Ale.

The beer was entered into the competition as a ‘wild card’ after the beer only picked up a regional bronze award in the regional heat – but was still the highest-scoring beer in the East in its category.

Head brewer James said: “To win another SIBA Award is really staggering. It’s a lovely little beer with a great following, so to get this award means a lot.

“To pick up regional and national awards two years in a row really makes all the hard work worthwhile. I started the brewery as a bit of a hobby that got out of control in 2019, launching in 2020 (just as the pandemic started), and have been doing this full-time since March last year.

“It’s an incredibly small set-up and we mainly sell our beers through local farmer’s markets, events and pubs, but we’ve developed a lovely loyal customer base.”

The brewery improved on last year, where it won a national bronze for its 6.5 per cent Kviek Black IPA.

Artefact Brewing, is based on Bridge Farm, Ixworth, launched in 2020 inside a converted shipping container which the couple turned into a brewery themselves, installing a second-hand brewery which they bought from a microbrewery in Cambridge.

James brews just 240 litres of beer at a time, which is approximately five casks or 350 pints.

Kat said: "The Heritage Ruby Ale is definitely one of my personal favourites for its smooth, sweet flavour, so I’m thrilled that it’s won this silver award.

"I’m so proud of James and his talent, he regularly gets incredible feedback for his beers from customers but to get this kind of industry recognition is amazing.

"James’ approach to brewing is very thorough, he spends a lot of time researching, crafting and experimenting - so far I think we’ve released about 30 different beers in three years, including a collaborations.

“The brewery is definitely a labour of love. It’s very hard work and we’re still figuring out how to make it work as a business. But hopefully we’ll get there.”

At the moment the brewery does not have a permanent shop but operates a monthly pop-up / drive-through shops at the farm, with the next one taking place on April 6 and 7.

For more details about the brewery, go to www.artefactbrewing.co.uk or search Artefact Brewing on Facebook or Instagram.