The ale won the accolade at the 21st Aberdeen and North East Beer Festival, organised by the Aberdeen, Grampian and Northern Isles branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

It’s the latest in a string of successes for Dark Island and the Orkney Brewery, which is operated by Sinclair Breweries Ltd. The 4.6% abv ale has twice won CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Scotland award, while the brewery’s Skullsplitter ale took runner-up spot in the Champion Winter Beer category last year.

Norman Sinclair, managing director of Sinclair Breweries Ltd, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to win such a prestigious award. Dark Island has always been extremely popular with customers, but it’s a boost to have it judged independently and see it come out on top like this, beating off some really stiff competition.

“This great news is something of an early Christmas present for us all and reinforces Dark Island’s position as one of the leading beers in the Scottish market. Full credit for this success must go to the Orkney Brewery’s head brewer, Andrew Fulton.”