A LAKE District brewery has been recognised nationally for the standard of two of its signature beers.

Barngates Brewery, based in Ambleside, made it through the heats to the judging stages of the National SIBA Awards, which took place in Sheffield.

The popular brewery, which operates on the same premises as The Drunken Duck, Ambleside, won gold in the keg premium lager category for its Vienna Lager, and Tag Lag won silver in the cask bitter and pale ale category.

Vienna Lager is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast and allowed five weeks lagering. Tag Lag is a flagship bitter that has been made at the brewery for 18 years.

Founding brewer John Lloyd said: "We are very proud to have products that were up for judging. We were as confident as we could be when we submitted the entry but it was a massive surprise to win gold.

"The Vienna Lager got immediate favourable feedback which was nice, because if you you are doing a lager like this there is nowhere to hide. If it doesn't come out right people will tell you.

"The Tag Lag is nearly 18 years old and it continues to win awards, which is nice. To get silver in SIBA is the first time we have had a national cask award."

John attended the awards ceremony with his partner Lucy.

He said: "The event was slightly different this year. There were members of the public there as well as people in the trade.

"It gave it a bit more of a feel good profile. There were a lot of awards to rattle through and it felt pretty good to be on stage.

"We were suitably relaxed when it came to us, so we were happy!"

The brewery is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, in the same year that the owners of The Drunken Duck are celebrating their 40th year in charge.

John added: "There are hopefully going to be some celebrations, but we are not sure what yet."