Freeminer Brewery in Cinderford, Royal Forest of Dean, has won this years "Gloucestershire Beer of the Year" with its light Summer Ale, Strip & @ It! .
At 4% , pale with a light bitterness and subtle [for Freeminer!] finishing hop, Strip is a popular landmark for the warmer months. Traditionally brewed at the launch of the first hose pipe ban of the year, the brewery has been forced to brew the beer earlier this year due to the early bans coming into place and the demand for lighter refreshing real ales to stem the seasonal exodus to lager style beers by the drinking public, already seen with the recent heat wave.
This achievement comes hot on the heals of Freeminer being named "Cotswold Life Gloucestershire Drinks Producer of the Year" both awards are independently judged against the other producers in the county.
Freeminer has seen a string of successes with its beer sales in the USA and at home expanding, and with its new Fair Trade accredited "Bumble Bee" honey ale taking the take home market by swarm. With the celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar getting closer, great expectations are held for the Trafalgar IPA, already a well established beer in the export markets, to do well in the domestic market too. The beer has already featured at the launch of celebrations in both London and Portsmouth, and recently was the beer of choice for the rededication of the historic lock gates after their refurbishment at the local Lydney Docks.