A West Yorkshire brewery has picked up its first award after only six months in business.

The Ilkley Brewery Company achieved the prize at the Society of Independent Brewers Northern beer competition.

Its light session beer Mary Jane won the gold medal in the bitters and pale ales (under 4.0 per cent ABV) category, beating 56 other brews from across the north of England..

The business was launched by Ilkley men and real ale buffs Stewart Ross and Chris Ives, who had both worked in the property industry.

Mr Ross said: “ We were both members of the Campaign for Real Ale and decided to go into brewing over a pint after a CAMRA brewery visit. It’s like a dream come true for both of us.”

The pair invested £40,000 into buying brewing equipment and have rented a unit on East Parade, near the site of the Ilkley Brewing Company which closed in the 1920s.

The new business, which brewed its first batch on May 10, makes 16 barrels a week and has developed a range of four regular ales along with special brews.

Mr Ross said the pair were now occupied around the clock, with the help of a part-time delivery drivers.

Ilkley Brewery ales have reached London in the South and Newcastle in the North and various points in between. Its beers can now be sampled in many pubs, including Bar t’at in Ilkley, The Corn Dolly and Fighting Cock in Bradford and The Junction in Baildon Mr Ross said: “ We thought it wa sa bit of a cheek to enter the SIBA competition and were staggered when we came away with a gold medal. Winning the award is a major boost for our ale and the business.

“Mary Jane was originally brewed as a summer special but has become our most popular brew and is now a permanent feature on many bars.

“It’s fantastic to have our efforts recognised by SIBA, particularly bearing in mind that we have only been brewing for six months.”