A NORTH Yorkshire brewery is celebrating gold and silver medals for two of its bottled ales at this year’s World Beer Awards.

The Masham-based Black Sheep Brewery beat off competition from some of the UK’s leading producers’ to take the accolades.

The gold for Black Sheep Ale and silver for Riggwelter, both stalwarts of the brewery’s range, were awarded by an expert panel of judges, including journalists, retailers, buyers, brewers and marketers in London.

The successes are not the first time Black Sheep has been successful in the World Beer Awards, with the brewery’s Yorkshire Square Ale having previously been named World’s Best Premium Bitter in 2009.

Sales and marketing director Jo Theakston said the awards helped cement the North Yorkshire region as a hotbed of British brewing.

“Our head brewer, Alan Dunn, and his team deserve particular praise,” he said.

“They have been creating top quality brews for over two decades now and it’s the dedication to their art and obsession with quality ingredients that has resulted in this recognition.

“Everyone at the brewery is very proud we have been honoured with these awards, especially against such esteemed competition.”

He added: “We aren’t resting on our laurels. There’s lots of new quality brews in the pipeline too so watch this space.”