A NORTH Yorkshire brewery will champion the British brewing industry on a global stage after scooping several awards at the Country and Style round of the World Beer Awards 2019.

The Masham-based Black Sheep Brewery’s Milk Stout was named as the best beer in its class in the UK and will now go on to compete in September for the title of the World’s Best Milk Stout against other finalists from United States, China, Japan and New Zealand.

This is the latest accolade for the 4.4% per cent ABV Milk Stout after it was awarded Gold at The International Brewing Awards 2019 in the International Dark Beer category in the spring.

Its award wins reflect Milk Stout’s growing popularity, which was boosted earlier this year after Black Sheep secured a national listing with Tesco and a regional Yorkshire listing with Morrisons for the beer in bottled format.

Also recognised at the World Beer Awards was Pathmaker, which picked up Gold in the American IPA category, while its flagship bottled beer, Black Sheep Ale, was awarded Silver in the Amber Beer class.

Black Sheep was also collected two Bronze medals for Guzzler and Pineapple Milkshake IPA at the global awards, which recognise the very best of international beer styles and independently judged by expert panels from the brewing industry.

Rob Theakston, managing director of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “We are looking forward to flying the flag for the UK next month when Milk Stout takes on its competitors from around the world to highlight the innovative and creative approach to beer we take at Black Sheep.

“Winning these awards is a tremendous endorsement for our beers and proves our commitment to our established and consistently popular brands, such as Black Sheep Ale, while also exploring new and creative ways to capture the interest and taste buds of drinkers.”