Ascot Ales  has taken a Silver Award in the National Beer Competition held by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). The winners were announced last week in Stratford-on-Avon.
The brewery’s Anastasia's Imperial Stout 8%, described as dangerously smooth with lush chocolate & coffee notes, won the Award in the Champion Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts category. It was one of just 27 beers to win a national title, from the 1,400 that entered the initial stages of the competition. To succeed, Ascot Ales Anastasia's Imperial Stout had to come through one of seven regional heats, followed by a final judging in Nottingham last month for the short-listed 63 beers.  

Chris Gill says, “We are very proud of our beers and delighted to win this Award, ahead of some of the finest brewers in the country.  We’re grateful to everyone at SIBA, and to the many people locally who have supported us by drinking and enjoying our beer. We promise to continue doing so for many more years, and hope that this Award will help us to bring our beers to many more people.”

Ascot Ales is a four barrel microbrewery producing up to 3000 pints a week, creating some highly individual beers reflecting their love of English ales but brewed with a flavoursome twist of full flower hops, or warming spices and plenty of blended British malts. They brew in small batches and do everything by hand from adding the fresh hops to bottling and labelling the beers.  www.ascot-ales.co.uk

Caption to attached photograph: Simon Butler of Freerbutler Design presenting the award to Chris Gill, Head Brewer at Ascot Ales