Ale competes on national stage

A local brewery is going up against the rest of the country with its Suffolk County Ale in this year’s National Beer Competition finals.

The chestnut-coloured ale produced by Nethergate Brewery earned a place in the finals after winning an award in the regional heats organised by the Society of Independent Brewers.

John Holberry, managing director of the brewery, based just outside Clare, said the team was looking forward to the competition in Sheffield.

“We are very proud of our beers and delighted to have this opportunity to compete on a national stage, against some of the finest beers from all over the UK,” he said.

“We are grateful to everyone at our brewery who has helped us to brew great beer, and to the many local pubs, shops and drinkers who have supported us.”

The winners will be announced on March 18.

Each drink is judged by a panel of more than 100 judges, before being sold to the public at the BeerX Festival of Beer, which runs from March 18 to 21.

Suffolk County Ale is one of a handful of beers going forward to represent the eastern region to be in with a chance of a gold, silver or bronze medal.