Family brewery nets top prize at city beer festival

Bradfield Brewery won the coveted prize for its Farmers Blonde after a blind tasting session at the festival, held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Meanwhile, the brewery’s Farmers Steel Cow ale won a gold award in the “Best Bitter” category.

Bradfield Brewery director John Gill said: “We are delighted to have received two prestigious awards at this years festival and thrilled that our best seller, the Farmers Blonde, came out on top in Sheffield.”

The brewery, which was established six years ago at Watt House Farm, has recently undergone a major expansion to take it from a 10 barrel plant to a 40 barrel plant in order to keep up with increasing demand.

In August, planning permission was also granted by the Peak District National Park Authority to fit 158 solar panels on the roof of the brewery.

The photovoltaic panels will generate 30,000kw of electricity each year, the equivalent of about six family homes.

The new solar panels system should save Bradfield Brewery up to £11,000 per year in electricity bills.