Hilden Irish Stout named among Britain's Top 10 Beers

Hilden Irish Stout from Northern Ireland has been listed among the Top 10 British Beers ahead of the annual Beer Day Britain celebration of the best of the country's brews.

Hilden Irish Stout, brewed in Ireland's longest established independent craft brewery near Lisburn in county Antrim, is described by Jane Peyton, Britain's 2014 Beer Sommelier of the Year, who drew up the Top 10, as a "mature tasting stout, with a tasty combination of roasted barley and hops give a full -bodied chocolate and coffee flavour".

The Hilden Irish Stout (4.3%ABV) is the only Northern Irish beer listed by Peyton and is on sale for £2.69 per 500ml bottle. Peyton is also project manager of Beer Day Britain, which takes place on 15th June.

Launched in 1981 by Seamus Scullion, Hilden remains a family owned and run brewery. It recently introduced a new bottling line to enable it to meet the growing demand in Britain and further afield for its beers, ales and stouts.

"Beer Day Britain gives the nation a real opportunity to celebrate the incredible beer available in Britain from home and abroad, and to feel proud of our national drink," says Peyton.

The campaign aims to educate and excite the public on the quality, diversity and versatility of beer.

Beer Day Britain is supported by major organisations in the beer industry including Britain's Beer Alliance, British Beer and Pub Association, Society of Independent Brewers, Campaign for Real Ale, Cask Marque, Independent Family Brewers of Britain, Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, and British Hop Association.

More styles of beer invented in Britain are now brewed regularly around the world than those of any other brewing nation. These include Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Mild, Brown Ale, Stout, Porter, Imperial Russian Stout, and Barley Wine.

Today beer and pubs contribute £22 billion annually to Britain's GDP. One job in brewing generates 21 in agriculture, retail, pubs, and the supply chain. Britain's brewing scene is the most dynamic and exciting it has ever been with more breweries per capita than any other country.

Northern Ireland is also experiencing a renaissance in brewing with a series of craft breweries launched in the past two years in Belfast and other areas. Established craft breweries like Hilden and Whitewater Brewing Company in Kilkeel are going from strength to strength.