Hercules lifts Northern Irish beer to new heights

The success of Hercules Brewing Company's Yardmaster Lager helped Belfast reach seventh place in the list of global beer regions in the influential World Beer Challenge 2016.

Hercules Brewing, based in Belfast, picked up two medals at the awards in Estoril, Portugal. The company struck gold for its Yardmaster Lager and silver for its Yardmaster Belfast Pale Ale. The beers are filtered using traditional Irish linen. The brand also reflects the city's heritage in shipbuilding and brewing, the latter once concentrated around Hercules Street, one the city's main thoroughfare.

The craft brewery in Belfast was among just 24 beers to achieve gold status. Only 375 beers reached the final judging stage.

Niall McMullan, founder and managing director of Hercules Brewing, commenting on the awards, says: "I am delighted that Yardsman has picked up these prestigious global awards. It's a fantastic acknowledgement of the quality and taste of our four local beers and a tribute to the brewing excellence here in Belfast.

"In recent years there has been a worldwide demand from consumers for craft beers, so I am proud to have created this unique craft brand that pays homage to local people who worked in the Belfast industries of linen weaving, shipbuilding, distilling and brewing, people who were experts in their craft.

"Since re-launching Hercules Brewing Company last year, the popularity of Yardsman lager, ale and stout has continued to grow and we are now distributing throughout Northern Ireland and to customers in Britain.

"We have also had a lot of interest from international markets. This will become a focus for the company moving forward. We want to lead a movement in local craft beer and revive and celebrate Belfast's heritage in brewing - so this leading industry award is something that is a real honour."