It's All In The Genes for Ilkley Brewery
Ilkley Brewery’s latest addition, Ruby Jane (erstwhile daughter of flagship beers Mary and Joshua Jane) has continued the family tradition by scooping a gold medal at its first competitive showing. In a category and regional heat alongside a former Champion Beer of Britain, Ruby Jane, a 4% Ruby Mild came out top as judged by an independent expert panel at the recent SIBA North East Beer Competition, held at The Knavesmire, as part of the Annual CAMRA York Beer and Cider Festival. It was in this competition, back in 2009 that Mary Jane first won plaudits and the gold medal, and since bursting on to the scene in 2012, Joshua Jane has scooped much coveted gold stars from the Guild of Fine Food and Drink.
The accolade for this beer was announced just moments after the results for the bottled section of the competition had been announced, where the brewery’s extraordinary Chipotle Chocolate Stout, The Mayan, had also just picked up gold in its category. This award compliments the two gold stars recently awarded by The Guild of Fine Food and Drink for this very same beer. All of this recognition comes itself hot on the heels of the announcement that Siberia, Ilkley Brewery’s much vaunted Rhubarb Saison was one of only 153 food and drink products from over 10,000 judged to have been awarded the top three gold stars at the Guild of Fine Food and Drinks GTA Awards this year.
Luke Raven, who co-ordinates Sales and Media was overjoyed with the high profile awards, and singles out Lead Brewer Christa Sandquist for special praise:
“Since arriving here with the remit of taking our beers to the next level, with her technical experience, eye for detail and maintaining exacting standards, Christa has certainly put her own stamp on our existing beers, and by creating new ones. Ably supported by new recruit Andy Cameron, who recently joined us from Inveralmond Brewery, Christa should be very proud that judges in a variety of competitions have decided to award her beers such high praise.”
“We will have brewed over 40 different beers this year, and routinely keep at least 15 available at any one time, and with lots of exciting new brews, and incredible collaborations just around the corner, we are now having to factor in extra brews of Ruby Jane, Siberia and The Mayan to satisfy the demand both in the UK and abroad”.
The brewing team are already working to develop many more new beers for 2015, continuing to push the boundaries and maintain the high standards that have become synonymous with Ilkley Brewery beers. There are exciting times to come for all involved in the beer industry in the UK, and nowhere is this more true than at Ilkley Brewery. Powered by beer.
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or follow Ilkley Brewery on Twitter @Ilkleybrewery and Facebook www.facebook.com/ilkley.brewery
