Stuart Bateman, managing director, Batemans Brewery, Julian Grocock, Chief Executive of SIBA and Martin Cullimore, Brewing Director, Batemans

One of the judges, Craig Douglas, Leaseholder of the Bree Louise in Euston, London, commented: “It is unusual for a strong bitter to be voted over milder beers in a blind tasting.  However, I am a judge at many beer tastings and my own pub serves over 60 different beers and without doubt, Victory Ale is one of the best beers I have tasted this year.”

Victory ale was first produced back in the late 1980s to celebrate the Bateman family retaining their independence. The beer has been produced every year since then as part of the Bateman’s seasonal range. There are now plans to increase the level of production as following this recent win, orders have already started to increase.