Hobsons the choice at beer awards

Hobsons only began brewing beer 14 years ago

A beer made at a Shropshire brewery, which was only established in 1993, has been voted the best in Britain.

Hobsons Mild, made at the Hobsons Brewery in Cleobury Mortimer, won the coveted award at the Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court in London.

The 3.2% drink was described by one of the festival judges, Roger Protz, as having "plenty of hop character".

Hobsons Mild was selected ahead of more than 50 beers, some made by major brewers, in eight different categories.

'Roasted malts'

Mr Proltz, editor of the Good Beer Guide, said: "It's a great victory for traditional British beer.

"It's great to see a classic copper-coloured beer take the award."

It's just really good news for Cleobury Mortimer itself Hobsons spokeswoman

The beer is described in the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Good Beer Guide as a having "complex layers of taste (which) come from roasted malts".

Hobsons director Nick Davis said: "I would like to thank all the team at Hobsons in Cleobury Mortimer for their outstanding work in achieving this prestigious award."

A brewery spokeswoman said: "We're just absolutely thrilled. For a low-gravity beer to win is fantastic.

"It's just really good news for Cleobury Mortimer itself."