Castle Brewery took home the Gold in the Cask British Dark Beer category at the SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards, which took place at MaltingsFest in Newton Abbot.

Cornish Stuggy Stout is described as roast coffee, smokey with light bitterness to finish.

“Judges had a tough job separating the pack as the standard was extremely high once again. Lucky beer festival attendees at MaltingsFest were able to try this and other award-winning beers immediately after the competition, something which is great for brewers too as they get to put their beers into the hands of real beer-lovers. The winners from the SIBA competition are officially the best independent craft beers in the South West region, something brewers should be extremely proud of.” Roy Allkin, SIBA Chairman.

The SIBA South West Independent Beer Awards judge a huge range of beers across a number of styles in separate cask and keg competitions. As the awards are judged mostly by brewers, industry experts and beer journalists the SIBA Independent Beer Awards are very much seen as the prestigious ‘Brewers’ choice Awards’ by the industry. Theo Corfield from Castle Brewery had this to say on their win.

In my 10th year at the helm of Castle Brewery, this award has to be at the pinnacle, since our first one, in 2016. The number of quality entries in the Cask British Dark Beer class, has made this award all the more pleasing. ‘Stuggy Stout’ has depth of flavour from the blend of 8 malts and roasted barley, which makes it eminently drinkable.

Castle Brewery was started in 2007 by Andrew White (formerly of Keltek Brewery) and then in 2012, acquired by amateur brewer and Craft Brewing Association member, Theo Corfield.

The brew house was replaced by modern equipment in 2016 and now produces a range of cask and bottled beers, all suitable for vegetarians/vegans. The bottled beers are packaged on site and accredited with the CAMRA Real Ale in a Bottle logo. All the beers have a good depth of flavour and are produced with malt freshly milled by ourselves. Cask and bottle beers are available online and also direct from our own mini off-licence.

To find out more about SIBA’s Independent Beer Awards visit www.siba.co.uk/awards/