A NORTH Herefordshire company has put forward its flagship, best-selling beer for the Best Brewer category in our Food and Drink Awards.

This category celebrates ales, lagers and stout which are brewed in Herefordshire.

And Swan Brewery in Leominster has put forward its Swan Gold for the judges’ consideration.

Gill Bullock from Swan Brewery said: “The strength of 4%, the inviting golden colour and the balance of malt and hops all create a refreshing ale, yet one that offers up character. The hops selected are Admiral from Herefordshire, Saaz from the Czech Republic and Wolf from Slovenia.”

Husband and wife team Jimmy Swan and Gill Bullock founded the brewery with the aim of creating beers that suit the tastes of Herefordshire drinkers, and fit with what publicans are looking to put on their pumps.

All ales are brewed with water, malted barley, hops and yeast. About 80 per cent of the hops that they brew with are grown in Herefordshire, from hop yards in Dilwyn, Ashperton, Bosbury and Munderfield for example.

Gill and Jimmy are committed to a sustainable approach to their brewing business; this has been recognised with their receipt of the Society of Independent Brewers Green Business of the Year award.

Cask ales are delivered directly to pubs, clubs and festivals within a radius reaching to Craven Arms, Llandrindod Wells, Ross-on-Wye and Worcester. Specialist drinks wholesalers take cask ales further afield.

Swan Brewery has a tasting day tomorrow (Friday) for people to try the Green Swan beer, another offering from the brewery. They are open 9am to 4pm on the Leominster Rural Enterprise Centre in Brunel Road.

We are still looking for more brewers to enter this category. It’s easy to enter. Just go to herefordtimes.com/awards/foodanddrink.

More entries are also needed in the following categories: Best Farm Shop, Best Butcher and Best Dairy Producer. Nominate your company today on our website. The deadline is October 10.