Ulster ale in world Top 50
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A local brewery in Co Down which employees just three staff has produced an ale judged to be one of the top 50 in the world.
The Whitewater Brewing Company won the title with its main product, Clotworthy Dobbin Ale, at the prestigious International Beer Challenge 2007.
The ale was voted ahead of a number of international entries for packaging and taste.
The beer is now in the running for the International Beer Challenge's Supreme Champion award, which will be announced in London at the beginning of October.
The Whitewater Brewing Company was set up in 1997 by expert brewer Bernard Sloan and his wife Kerry.
A very happy Mr Sloan said: 'Gaining a listing as one of the world's top 50 beers is a marvellous endorsement of the quality of our Clotworthy Dobbin Ale.
'We set out to produce an ale that was different, that offered a fresh, crisp taste and we've succeeded by using only the best quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques.'
The brewery may be small, but its customers include major supermarkets such as Sainsbury, Asda and the Co-Op.
With a 30 per cent sales growth over the past year, the company has plans for on-site expansion.
Mr Sloan said: 'The growth in demand for our products has led to the plant operating at full capacity and we are looking at on-site expansion options.'
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