BREWING students have beaten more experienced professionals to a best beer award.

Six students from the Brewlab in Sunderland won the Battle of the Beers contest at the 35th Durham Beer Festival with their creation Mannekin Wit IPA.

The students hail from the USA and Canada and their brew was described as: "An iconic Belgian Wit IPA with the addition of lemongrass, emphasising strong late hop characters. A sweet biscuit flavour with subtle lemongrass and apricot aftertaste."

The festival's second prize was handed to Star Spangled, from George Samuel of Spennymoor and third place went to Durham Wheat, of Jam Brewery in Chester-le-Street.

The Campaign for Real Ale festival, held at Dunelm House, the Durham Students’ Union building in New Elvet, features more than 120 real ales and 30 ciders.

Seventeen ales are served from wooden casks and there are 13 in the wheat beer style, following a challenge laid down to brewers.

The festival, sponsored by brewers Camerons of Hartlepool and Maxim of Houghton-le-Spring, is open from 11am to 10.30pm on today and tomorrow.

Entry costs £10, including a commemorative half-pint glass, festival programme and five half-pint tokens for Camra members, or three for non-members.

Further half-pint beer tokens cost £1.60 each. Undamaged classes can be returned for a £1 refund. For further details, visit durhambeerfestival.org.uk