An Ipswich microbrewers is "thrilled" to have two of its brews awarded beer awards.

The Briarbank, which is based in Fore Street, won a gold award and a silver award in the SIBA East Independent Beer Awards.

The business was also awarded the silver award for the overall champion of the keg beer competition.

Their fruity Hop to It double dry-hopped IPA, from Simcoe and Mosaic hops, took gold in the Keg IPA (5.6%-7.4%) category, and their Mango NEPA, a New England Pale Ale, which is described as thick, full-bodied and full of oats, hops, and mango, took silver in the Keg Speciality IPA category.

Hop to It also took home the silver award for the overall champion of the keg beer competition.

The awards, which took place on Tuesday, January 9, at Legra Tap and Kitchen in Leigh-on-Sea, celebrates the best beer from the region's independent brewers and is judged by fellow brewers and industry experts.

Head brewer at the Briarbank, Robert Lewis-Pyke said: "It's always a great event seeing other brewers from the east region, and the quality of beer they deliver is always high.

"We're thrilled to have been awarded a gold and silver, and to take away silver for the overall champion as well is great."

Their Hop to It beer will now be entered into the SIBA National Independent Beer Awards 2024, which will take place in March at BeerX in Liverpool.

The business also took away gold and bronze awards in the contest in September 2023, and their beer Mocha Porter won gold in 2022 in the Bottle/Can Speciality Mid to Dark Beers category.

Last year, the Briarbank celebrated its tenth birthday and also marked its move from its core range of beers from bottles to cans.