Moorhouse's Brewery in Burnley is hoping that its Black Cat dark beer goes down a treat at this year's Great British Beer Festival.

Last year it was voted Supreme Champion Beer of Britain by a panel of brewers, beer writers and journalists at the Great British Beer Festival in Olympia, London.

The success of the beer, described in the Good Beer Guide as "smooth and dark with a fruity aroma", meant that the independent brewery had to increase brewing capacity to 270 barrels a week. Sales of the ale have doubled in the last year.

Nigel Craig, general manager of Moorhouse's, has been asked to join the panel of judges for this year's entries. He said: "If I am judging in the dark beer section there is every chance that we could win again -- although the tasting is done blind, which means the result is in the lap of the gods."

"I would be disappointed if we did not do well in our sector. I have high expectations."

The beer festival runs at Olympia from July 31 to August 4. Over 40,000 beer lovers will be attending and over 450 real ales from 150 breweries will be looking to take the prestigious title of Supreme Champion Beer of Britain away from Burnley.

The beer was first produced 10 years ago and sold purely as a draught until 1997, when Moorhouse's got an order from Canada for the beer to be bottled.

The bottled variety was entered into the 1998 Brewing Industry International Awards in London.

So will Black Cat be the cream of the crop again?

"I have no recollection of anyone winning the award twice. However, that does not mean it can't be done. This beer is the cat's pyjamas," said Nigel.