Co Down Ale In Running For World's Top Beer

Ale from a small brewery in Kilkeel, Co Down, has been ranked as one of the world's top 50 beers.

Whitewater Brewing Company, located in the foothills of the Mournes at Kilkeel, was listed by a high-powered judging panel in the International Beer Challenge 2007.

Clotworthy Dobbin Ale, the brewery's main product, captured the attention of the expert judges, which included beer critics, current and former brewers, buyers and retailers under the chairmanship of renowned beer writer Jeff Evans.

Brewer Bernard Sloan who formed the brewery in 1996 with his wife, said: "The recent awards will be immensely important as we step up our marketing throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland especially for our bottled ales."

Among the company's customers are major retailers including Sainsbury's, Asda and the Co-Op, as well as many leading bars.

Whitewater's ale will now be in the running for the International Beer Challenge's Supreme Champion award, which will be announced in London on 3 October.

(LC/SP)