Logan Beck brewery's bitter nominated for Champion Beer of Britain

Session bitter Proper 4%, from Logan Beck Brewery near Broughton, was nominated by the regional Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) delegates to represent the north west in the competition. 

Owner Alex Douglas only set up his brewery six years ago. He said: "Really - I wasn't expecting it to win. It's all happening too quickly." 

Meg Dixon with her certificate and Scott Varty - the landlord of the Manor Arms in Broughton which was where the certificates were given out (Image: Submitted)

The beer will be judged in CAMRA's upcoming Great British Beer Festival in 2025. 

The session bitter category was a one-two for Furness - as Ulverston Brewing Co's Laughing Gravy came second in the North West Regional Champion Beer of Great Britain 2024, which was held in Stockport. 

Meanwhile Townhouse Brewery in Dalton bagged third place for Meg's Mild.

Ulverston Brewing Co achieved silver with their session bitter, Laughing Gravy (Image: Submitted)

The Stockport competition involved breweries from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cumbria. 

Mr Douglas said: "I try to do the best I can. Covid killed off the small breweries." He said that some 'really good ones' had gone. 

Talking about his business, he said: "There's very strong local support and the high levels of tourism are quite useful. You get a lot of visitors in. Drinkers come us - saves on the transport costs."

Pubs that Mr Douglas regularly supply to include: The Manor (Broughton), The Blacksmiths Arms (Broughton), The Devonshire (Millom), The Devonshire Arms (Ulverston), Old Friends (Ulverston) and the Greyhound Inn (Eskdale). 

Townhouse Brewery's Meg Mild is named after Megan Dixon, the partner of brewer Mark Nixon. 

About the competition, Ms Dixon said: "It's really good for the breweries - lots more people get to see and hear." 

She praised the support they have received from Furness CAMRA. The pair moved their brewery and their lives from Stoke-on-Trent to Dalton during Covid. 

About the mild, Ms Dixon said: "It's named after me and brewed to my taste so it's not too hoppy." 

Townhouse Brewery's beers are sold in pubs in Barrow and Walney. According to Ms Dixon, her partner still runs some beer down to Stoke due to the remaining demand from when they were based there. 

The brewery was originally started by Mr Nixon and his father two decades ago. 

The presentation of the certificates was done on Thursday, July 25 at The Manor Arms in Broughton.