A Brewery in Wyre Forest is raising its glass in celebration after winning a coveted award for one of its bottled beers.

Bewdley Brewery’s M.V Balmoral has been named the 2015 Hopshires champion bottled beer of 2015, at a judging session at The Talbot in Knightwick last month.

The tasty ale is brewed with First Gold and Bramling hops grown in The Hopshires and commemorates a merchant vessel of national, historic importance.

Tim Wilkins, from Bewdley Brewery, said “We are delighted that our beer has been chosen over so many high quality competitors and are proud to use hops grown in the heart of England”.

Ludlow Brewing Co bottled Gold won second place and Hobsons Brewery Town Crier came third.

Hopshires was launched in 2013 by Brewers and hop growers from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire to celebrate the hops grown and beers made with them in the area.

Brewing members of Hopshires, using hops grown in the region, were able to enter a bottled beer for competition, sponsored by local companies Charles Faram & Co and Beerbods, to determine the Champion Bottled Beer.