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Press Release 10 April, 2001

At the 25th Camra Newcastle Beer Festival on 4th - 7th April 2001, Wylam Brewery was awarded Champion Beer of the festival for their Gold Tankard bitter. The 4.0% ABV golden coloured ale was commissioned by Alastair Gilmour to celebrate recently receiving the UK Beer Writer of the Year Award from the British Guild of Beer Writers. He was presented with a gold tankard. Alastair works for the Newcastle Journal.

The beer was designed by Tim Gatenby, (an ex brewer), Sales Director of J P Simpson & Co, maltsters of Berwick who supplied the malts for the brew. The recipe has a golden theme and consists of: Golden Promise Malted barley, Golden Naked Oats, with First Gold and Willamette hops.

Wylam Brewery was set up last year in an old farm dairy near Heddon on the Wall by retirees Robin Leighton (Brewing Director) and John Boyle (Marketing and Distribution). Though the brewery has been in production for only 6 months, their beers have quickly gained a reputation for quality and flavour. They are available at the brewery tap, The Boathouse Wylam, and in many pubs in the region. This award is seen as a first step to wider recognition of the brewery and its beers, both locally and nationally.

For more information and background contact John Boyle on 01661 853377

John Boyle

Director, Wylam Brewery Ltd