Otter Brewery and Branscombe Brewery can both raise a glass in celebration after winning six prizes between them for their beers.

The Society of Independent Brewers announced the winners of the South West Independent Beer competition at the Maltingfest in Newton Abbot last week.

Branscombe Brewery won the gold for best bitter, silver for best dark beer, and bronze for best pale ale. Meanwhile Otter Brewery, based in Luppitt, won a silver for their Tarka Premium keg lager and two bronzes for their session lager and their cask bitter. 

The awards are judged by beer sommeliers, master brewers and other expert beer judges from across the industry.

The local breweries have been congratulated by the MP for Tiverton & Honiton, Richard Foord.

He said: “We are blessed to have so many quality independent brewers and cider makers here in the South West. 

“It’s great to see two of Devon’s best - Branscombe Brewery and Otter Brewery - stand out from the pack and be recognised for their work. Like many others, I feel such pride to enter a pub and see this local beer on tap. 

“Small and local brewers are having a really tough time lately, so we all should be raising a glass to toast their success and thank them for helping put Devon firmly on the map.”