HUDDERSFIELD brewers are in the running for an ale of a competition later this year.
Local microbreweries will be competing in the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) annual beer competition.
The Huddersfield area companies confirmed so far are Elland Brewery Ltd, Empire Brewing in Slaithwaite and Summer Wine Brewery in Honley.
This year is being split into two parts to cope with the growing number of breweries wanting to compete.
The first part of the regional awards will be judged on Friday November 6 in The Beer Hall at Hawkshead Brewery in the Lake District, followed by a SIBA beer festival.
The winners will then go on to the national final in February 2010.
Draught ale sold through pubs has been the mainstay of the local brewer, but sales of bottled beers from independent brewers grew by more than 50% last year.
Andrew Whalley, a SIBA North Trustee who is also the head brewer at York Brewery, said: “People increasingly want to shop ethically and they have been willing to pay a premium to do so even during the recession.
“As well as the great taste, local beers tick all the boxes for the ethical consumer – genuine provenance, low food miles, sustainable production and they make a contribution to the local economy.”
