A POPULAR pale ale has beaten more than 1000 tipples to gain an international accolade.

Thwaites’ American Indian Pale Ale, 13 Guns, took home the Gold Award in the Brewing Awards, in the in the cask ale for beers with 4.9 per cent to 6.9 per cent alcohol.

Beverages from around the world were judged on strict criteria including taste, colour and quality.

Each one was blind tasted by a panel of experts, made up of head brewers, master cider makes, production directors and quality managers.

Brian Yorston, head brewer, said he was over the moon for the brew to gain first prize.

He said: “13 Guns is one of our most exciting new beers and it’s one that our licensees are always asking for so we knew it was a good beer to send for this competition.

“The brewing was a real team effort and we are absolutely over the moon with the result.

“The International Brewing Awards are prestigious because there is such tough competition.

“There were more than 1,000 entries from right around the world and judging is a detailed process carried out by pros who really know their stuff.”

Thwaites, based in Blackburn, run scores of pubs in East Lancashire and sell their beer across the North West.

Judging panel members are divided into teams which change for every session of judging.

They are asked, individually, to argue the case for which beer, as a team, should put forward to the next round.

Rick Bailey, chief executive officer at Thwaites, said: “Beer awards don’t get more prestigious than this – it’s a huge honour to be named best in class by your own peers.

“We have a great heritage where beer is concerned - after all that is where Thwaites started.

“The craftsmanship that went into brewing when Daniel Thwaites set up his brewery in 1807 is undiminished today and we are all enormously proud of our brewers.

“They put a huge amount of pride and passion into everything they do and that’s what makes Thwaites beers the success they are.”

Bill Taylor, chairman of award judges, said: “The list of medal winners reflects both the quality and diversity of beers and ciders entered into the competition.

“Judges put in long hours assessing and debating the merits of the products to select the winners and the final list is an impressive showcase for the very best in brewing and cider making around the world.”