Islay Ales, Islay's only brewery, proved that they can compete with the award winning Islay distilleries. Paul Hathaway, member of the brew crew, sent me a press release this afternoon in which was announced that Islay Ales won the Campaign for Real Ale’s Scottish Bottle Conditioned Beer of 2009-10 Award. Islay Ales began producing Ales on Islay in 2004 and has a regular range of 8 beers. All of its Ales are conditioned in either the cask or the bottle which allows the beer to mature and develop flavours and aromas up to the time when they are drunk. What a lot of visitors of Islay and locals already knew is now acknowledged by the members of a national organisation, a great achievement for the sympathetic and hospitable crew at Islay House Square, Bridgend. Continue reading.....

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) with over 100,000 members is the most successful consumer organisation in Europe and aims to campaign for greater appreciation of traditional beers, ciders and perries as part of our national heritage and culture, protect and improve consumer rights, promote quality, choice and value for money, support the public house as a focus of community life, and seek improvements in all licensed premises and throughout the brewing industry.

The Brewery’s 4.2% ABV Black Rock Ale was achieved the award at the Ayrshire Beer Festival at Troon on 3 October 2009.The six finalists were all nominated by CAMRA members and Islay Ales’ Black Rock Ale came out on top. Black Rock Ale is a best bitter; the use of pale and crystal malts and un-malted roasted barley gives a coppery, reddish brown hue and a mellow, nutty flavour. Golding hops give the beer a smooth, almost sweet, delicate spicy flavour, while adding Fuggle and Mount Hood hops give Black Rock Ale a floral, grassy and herbal nose. The Brew Crew at Islay Ales are absolutely thrilled to have won this award noting especially that it has been given to us by members of the Campaign for Real Ale, who certainly know their pints!

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