Palmers Brewery’s flagship premium ale has won a champion gold award from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Palmers 200 in bottles won gold in the Small Pack Strong Ales category, and then went on to be declared overall champion in the Small Pack Beers class at the Tuckers Maltings beer festival in Exeter.

More than 200 bottles of beer from 75 breweries were entered for the contest, which represented the very best of brewing across the entire South West region.

Palmers’ head brewer Darren Batten said: “We always knew that 200 was a great beer and it’s great that has been recognised as such by so many experts in the South West. It really is a proper, fine ale!”

Cleeves Palmer, the brewery sales and marketing director, said: “Darren and the brewhouse team have done a fantastic job and this award is well deserved.”

Palmers 200 was created in 1994 to celebrate 200 years of brewing at the Bridport brewery. It is full bodied, rich and malty, with a distinctive hop character (ABV 5%). 200 is available in bottles and on draught.