Southwold-based brewer Adnams has won a gold medal at the 2014 International Beer Challenge (IBC) for its first ever lager.

Adnams’ Dry Hopped Lager, launched last year as part of the company’s Jack Brand craft beer range, is brewed using Pilsner malt, as is traditional in lager-style beers, but then “dry hopped” ? the addition of hops after the boiling process ? with the Australian variety Galaxy to provide maximum aroma.

Emma Hibbert, head of corporate affairs at Adnams, which is a member of the EADT/EDP Top 100 listing of the 100 largest companies in Suffolk and Norfolk, said: “Everyone at Adnams is incredibly thrilled to have received this award and so honoured that the IBC’s prestigious panel of experts has acknowledged our Dry Hopped Lager at this year’s awards.

“Though it is our first lager, we have put years of brewing experience into the recipe, to create a bold, bright and exceptionally tasty beer. To have only launched Dry Hopped Lager and the Jack Brand range a year ago, and to get this sort of international recognition already, is really exciting.”

Adnams also won IBC silver medals for its Ghost Ship and Broadside ales and bronze medals for its Innovation and Sole Bay beers in the tasting section of the awards, plus a design and packaging gold award for the presentation of its Mosaic Pale Ale which, like its Dry Hopped Lager and Innovation, is also part of the Jack Brand range.

The IBC involves beers being judged by an expert panel for appearance, aroma, taste and finish. Winners in the seven different categories, and an overall champion, will be announced next month.

Jeff Evans, chairman of the IBC judges, said: “The IBC is not an easy competition in which to win a medal of any colour. Our judges are among the most demanding around, all of them experts from across the brewing industry.

“They don’t give medals away cheaply and so bronze and silver medals in the IBC, I believe, are worth much more than golds in other competitions.

“Of course, the very best beers are awarded gold medals and this year only 30 gold medals were awarded, which underlines the rigorousness of the judging.”

: : The second release of Adnams’ Single Malt Whisky No 1 is now available from the company’s shops, and online.

Last December’s inaugural release sold out quickly and the second release, which has undergone the same three-year maturation process in new French oak barrels, is also expected to prove popular.

The first release of Single Malt received a silver medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition and a bronze medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Adnams Triple Grain Whisky No 2 is also still available.