Artisan brewer tastes success in world’s top beers

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Ale from the Whitewater Brewery in Northern Ireland is celebrating being ranked as one of the world’s top 50 beers by a high powered judging panel in the prestigious International Beer Challenge 2007.

Clotworthy Dobbin Ale, the brewery’s main product – it also brews Belfast Ale - quenched the thirst of the expert judging panel of beer critics, current and former brewers, buyers and retailers under the chairmanship of renowned beer writer Jeff Evans. The Challenge discovers and rewards the finest beers from across the globe and in association with Off Licence News, publishes the list of the ‘World’s 50 Best Beers’.

Whitewater’s distinctively rich flavoured ale came out ahead of a host of international entries on taste and packaging. It will be in the running for the International Beer Challenge’s Supreme Champion award to be announced in London on 3 October. Earlier in August, Whitewater’s Belfast Ale gained a gold award in the UK Guild of Fine Food’s Great Taste Awards.

Expert brewer Bernard Sloan, who formed Whitewater Brewing Company in 1996 with his wife, says: “Gaining a listing as one of the world’s top 50 beers is a marvellous endorsement of the quality of our Clotworthy Dobbin Ale. We set out to produce an ale that is different, that offered a fresh, crisp taste. We use only the best quality ingredients and a brewing technique that doesn’t depend on pasteurisation.”

“The recent awards will be immensely important as we step out our marketing throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland especially for our bottled ales.”

Sales have grown by over 30 per cent during the past year. The brewery has also invested heavily in the latest bottling technology, which can produce up to produce up to 1,000 bottles and hour.

“The growth in demand for our products has led to the plant operating at full capacity and we are looking at on-site expansion options,” Mr Sloan adds.

Whitewater ales use natural ingredients such as hops from the America, Czech Republic, Australia and New Zealand and malt from England, the Irish Republic and Germany.