Hobsons choice for beer awards

A West Midlands brewery is the toast of the nation after scooping the top award for its tipple at this year’s Great British Beer Festival.

Hobsons Mild from Hobsons Brewery, near Kidderminster, was judged the Champion Beer of Britain 2007 on the first of the five-day event at Earls Court in London.

The beer drew a thumb’s-up from judges to win a gold in the ‘Mild category’ and was picked as the overall winner from more than 50 finalists including beers from tiny micro to major regional brewers.

And there to savour the sweet taste of success yesterday were managing director Nick Davis and brewer Tim Sant.

Mr Davis, aged 42, said: “We are absolutely surprised. We were just having a half of the mild when we were announced the winners. Why shouldn’t a mild win? It is bucking the trend - it is against the trade.

“It is an old flat-capped drink in a modern drinking environment. It’s a nutty mild and despite being 3.2 per cent abv, it’s packed full of flavour.

“I want to thank all the team for their outstanding work,” he added.

The family business which was established in 1993 and employs 11 people has recently expanded its premises to meet demand, distributing its produce across the West Midlands.

Mr Sant, 28, added: “There is such a strong trend towards strong pale ales at the moment. I hope this will encourage people to go to a pub and order mild.”

Also showcasing at the event were the Olde Swan, Holden’s and Sarah Hughes breweries in Dudley, The Beowulf Brewery Company from Walsall, Eccleshall Brewing Company from Stafford and Windsor Castle Brewery from Stourbridge.

More than 66,000 visitors flocked to the spectacle last year to knock back more than 300,000 pints.

This year, organisers Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) anticipate those records will be smashed as the world famous event celebrates its 30th birthday with a variety of 700 drinks on offer.