A SOUTH Lakeland brewery has tasted more success after striking gold at an industry competition to find the best beer.

Hawkshead Brewery won a gold and two silver medals at the Northern regional heat of the Society of Independent Brewers' competition.

The brewery's Hawkshead Gold beer took gold in the best bitter class, beating entries from 25 rivals across the region, and was runner-up to the overall champion in the competition.

Hawkshead Bitter won the silver medal in its category.

It is the second year that Hawkshead Gold has lived up to its name in the competition. Last year, it claimed top prize in the bottled beer class, and went on to get bronze in the national final.

A panel of brewing industry professionals carry out blind tastings to judge the winners of the competition run by SIBA, which represents more than 300 independent breweries nationwide.

Since being established in July 2002, Hawkshead Brewery has seen steady growth and now produces six cask ales that can be bought in 50 pubs in Cumbria, including the Swan Inn at Ulverston, which was acquired by the brewery late last year.

Delighted founder Alex Brodie, a former BBC foreign correspondent, said: "There is a revolution in brewing taking place in this country. It is about beer quality and choice and against monopoly power. I am proud that Hawkshead is playing its small part in that revolution".