THE founders of one of the UK's most exciting new breweries, based in Kendal, are raising their glasses once again after winning four more prestigious awards to add to their growing list of accolades.
Lakes Brew Co, which operates from Mintsfeet Industrial Estate, came away from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Awards in Liverpool with three medals for their beers, and a Highly Commended certificate in the Best Concept Design category in the SIBA Business Awards.
The brewery's NZ Pilsner scooped a silver in the Bottle/Can Lager category, and a bronze in the Keg Lager section.
Its Idaho ho ho 7, a Black IPA released at Christmas, also won silver in the Speciality Keg IPA.
Michelle Gay, one of five friends that started the brewery around 18 months ago, said that SIBA recognition is particularly pleasing.
She said: "There are thousands of beers entered throughout the year, so to get to this point of having three beers in the national finals, and to come back with three awards is really good.
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"Awards aren't the be all and end all, but it's telling us that we're doing something right.
"The SIBA awards are judged blind and independently, and we want our beers to stand on their own merit."
On their design commendation, Michelle explained the concept was borne out of a love for the lakes:
"You’re stood up on a hill and you see these wonderful layers of colours, and that’s where it all came from.
"We wanted something clean and precise and easily, recognisably us.
"Also something fun and vibrant to reflect the modern Lake District – it's not all afternoon tea and Beatrix Potter!"
The judge's comments on the design were: "This clean and coherent design worked well across the entire brand, but it was the clever and deceptively simple mountain and water droplet logo which really impressed judges.
"A superb piece of design that conveys so much in just a few lines."
The brewery's growing popularity has seen capacity extended at the beginning of the year, with new fermenters being installed.
Michelle said: "It's been a balancing act of not letting anyone down, the local people who have supported us, we've ringfenced stock to make sure that doesn't happen.
"We might complain sometimes that we can’t make enough beer, but we wouldn’t want it any other way."
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