ILKLEY Brewery’s latest beer, Ruby Jane, scooped a gold medal at its first competitive showing – one of two accolades won by the company at the SIBA North East beer competition.

The mild ale was awarded the prize at the same event where in 2009 the brewer’s flagship beer Mary Jane first won a gold medal.

Ilkley Brewery’s chocolate stout The Mayan also achieved gold in the bottled beer competition, following the two gold stars recently awarded by The Guild of Fine Food and Drink. Also, the Siberia Rhubarb Saison brew was one of only 153 food and drink products from more than 10,000 to earn the top three gold stars accolade at the awards.

Luke Raven, sales co-ordinator, praised lead brewer Christa Sandquist, saying: “Since arriving here with the remit of taking our beers to the next level, with her technical experience, eye for detail and maintaining exacting standards, Christa has certainly put her own stamp on our existing beers and by creating new ones.” He said that ably supported by new recruit Andy Cameron, she should be very proud.