A Highland micro-brewery that was launched during lockdown is raising a glass after winning gold in its first ever competition.
Ardgour Ales opened its doors just last year, but the new microbrewery is already making its mark.
Their ‘Gobhar Reamhar’ stout lifted the top award for cask strong beer at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Scotland Independent Beer Awards 2021, which was this year hosted at the Bolton Beer Festival in a joint judging event with the SIBA North West Region.
Brewer Fergus Stokes also secured silver in the overall champion cask beer award, meaning that he will take the Gobhar Reamhar (the ‘Fat Goat’ in Gaelic) to the National Finals next year in Liverpool in March 2022.
Ardgour Ales sits on the shores of Loch Linnhe near the Corran Ferry and looking across to Ben Nevis.
Launching a brewery has been the long-term dream of Fergus and his wife Lizzy, since they moved to the area ten years ago and despite the pandemic, brewing started in the summer of 2020.
In a unique twist to the microbrewery model, the couple also bake fresh bread for the village, and turn stone-baked pizzeria on Friday nights, drawing customers in from far and wide.
Mr Stokes said: “Ardgour lost its village shop a few years ago, and we’re also without our local pub at the moment, because of a fire.
"So, creating a new little hub for the village has been as important to us as making the beer”.
And it appears that the locals agree, as the owner was applauded on to the Corran Ferry by the crew on his return from the competition.
"We are surprised and delighted at such a great result for our first time out.
"It’s so rewarding to have our commitment to creating high quality and distinctive beers recognised so early on in our journey”.
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