A Norfolk brewery’s smoked porter has helped it win a trio of top awards.

Grain Brewery’s Slate took home silver in the overall champion keg beer in the UK section at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Beer Awards at BeerX Liverpool.

The team based at Alburgh also came home with a silver in the cask category for Blackwood, its smooth and creamy stout, and Lignum Vitae, its India pale ale, was awarded gold in its cask category.

The brewery produces its traditional dark porter from its base in south Norfolk and the 6pc drink is brewed with Norfolk barley and oak-smoked malt from Bamberg, Germany.

At the awards, finalists from all the different UK regional competitions in 2023 came head-to-head to compete for the national titles.

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Slate, which won overall champion in both the SIBA cask and keg regional awards in 2023, won gold in its keg category at the national awards, before taking second place as the overall champion keg beer of the UK.

Diss Mercury: Grain Brewery brewers Marc Lynch and Grahame Read celebrate the team’s win. Credit: Phil HallsGrain Brewery brewers Marc Lynch and Grahame Read celebrate the team’s win. Credit: Phil Halls (Image: Phil Halls)

Phil Halls, owner of Grain Brewery, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to take home such a large number of awards from this prestigious national event.

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“I understand this year saw more entries than ever, and I sampled some fantastic beers from all over the UK whilst visiting, so I was overwhelmed when we performed so well against the best beers in the country.

“Our brewers Marc and Grahame have been working hard to make the beers the best they can be, so I am extremely pleased that their efforts are being rewarded.”

Diss Mercury: Grain Brewery are based in the South Norfolk village of Alburgh since 2006Grain Brewery are based in the South Norfolk village of Alburgh since 2006 (Image: Phil Halls)

 

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The industry awards, run by the Society of Independent Brewers, are judged by beer experts in blind tastings and are seen very much as the brewers’ choice awards in the industry.

The event was hosted by beer writer Pete Brown, who has recently moved to Norwich.

Grain Brewery’s taproom is open every Friday and Saturday 12pm to 7pm.

Diss Mercury: From traditional cask bitters to hazy IPAs, Grain has a broad selection of beers to cater for all tastesFrom traditional cask bitters to hazy IPAs, Grain has a broad selection of beers to cater for all tastes (Image: Phil Halls)