15/06/2007

A new dark ale from an Orkney brewery has picked up the top award at this year's Scottish Traditional Beer Festival.

Highland Dark Munro, brewed at the year-old Highland Brewery in Orkney, was named Champion Beer of Scotland at the Edinburgh event.

Brewer Rob Hill, who started up the company in 2006, told allfoodscotland: “I am absolutely over the moon. Dark Munro has been selling extremely well as it is a very drinkable ale with loads of malt and a wonderful balance of flavour."

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) competition is run over a year with regional tasting panels whittling down entrants to a shortlist of eight. Second prize was awarded to Maverick, made by Fyne Brewery at Cairndow, in Argyll, while the third spot was scopped by Piper's Gold, also from Fyne Brewery.