Norfolk’s real ale lovers are raising a glass to Lacons Audit Ale, an eight per cent barley wine, recently judged by local CAMRA branches as the county’s best bottled real ale.

It was described by the judges as having a “smooth and malty character finely balanced by malt and berries in the beer”.

Norfolk Taste Panel chair Alan Edwards said: “The competition is organised to showcase the fine range of Norfolk brewed real ales that are available in bottles.

“These beers can be drunk at home or stocked in pubs, shops and restaurants that may not always have cask ales. This is another way for us all to support our local brewers.”

Audit Ale is a multi-award-winning brew having won Champion Winter Beer of Britain in 2019, CAMRA Overall Gold Champion Bottled Beer of Norfolk 2021 and most recently Champion Beer of East Anglia: barley wine and strong ales category.

Runner up in the competition is Big Sharpie, a 5 per cent premium pale ale brewed by Reedham-based Humpty Dumpty brewery with third place going to Bouchart X, a 10 per cent strong mild brewed by Moon Gazer Ales.

The competition, open to all Norfolk brewers, attracted 77 entries from 15 breweries.