Joy for Oakham Ales' team as they toast competition triumphs

Fans of the award-winning Oakham Ales have been raising a glass to more success recently following the brewery's latest competition triumphs.

Oakham has previously picked up awards at the Great British Beer Festival, the International Brewing Awards and from local and national competitions held by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers).

That success has continued into 2017 as Oakham won first and third places in the Golden Ales category in the East Anglia Beer Awards recently announced at the Colchester Beer Festival. The plaudits came from Citra, the company's biggest-selling brew, and Bishop's Farewell, with Citra also taking bronze in the overall competition.

"We're hugely proud of the continued popularity and success that our brews are enjoying at bars and beer festivals, and that's a massive incentive to keep up the good work," said Oakham's managing director Adrian Posnett.

"These are exciting times for Oakham – as well as in pubs, we're selling in supermarkets nationwide and have just seen our best-seller Citra added to the menu in the Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurant chain. We've raised our profile through sponsorship of glasses at the recent Stevenage Beer Festival, and hopefully the recent launch of Tiki Blonde at the Craft Beer Rising festival in London will spread the word even further."

Oblivion, a 5.7% ABV Amber Ale with a strong spiced-fruit aroma and rich malt flavour, was voted champion beer by drinkers at the recent Saints Winter Beer and Wine Fest, and there was yet more success for Green Devil IPA, which won the Premium Strong Beer category at the SIBA East regional competition, and will now take part in the SIBA national championships in both the cask and keg categories.

Green Devil is also hoping for a hat-trick of wins at the International Beer Awards, with medal winners due to be announced later this month and final awards given out in April.

Oakham's American Pale ale has also been entered in the SIBA national awards, and Citra (in 500ml bottles) and new product Tiki Blonde have also been entered for the International Brewing Awards.

"We have a great relationship with our customers and our suppliers, and we really listen to what they say about our products, so to receive such public recognition is hugely rewarding," said Mr Posnett.

Oakham's involvement with the Stevenage Festival is another example of how seriously the company takes public feedback and opinion.

"We we made a point of attending in person to meet and talk to the people buying our products, to see what they think about them," said Mr Posnett.

"The event organisers are all regulars at the Half Moon in Hitchin, which is one of our stockists, so we were delighted when they offered us the chance to get involved as sponsors, and it was clear from the outset we were dealing with people who would take the job seriously – the beer orderer for this year's event was called Martyn Beer!"