AN INVERKEITHING brewery has been recognised on the UK stage for the second year in a row with a win at the SIBA National Independent Beer Awards.

Inner Bay Brewery took home the gold gong in the Bottle/Can Speciality Light Beer category at the awards which took place in Liverpool last month.

Kate Russell, a native of New Zealand, brews all her own products from her house in Inverkeithing.

Last year, the brewery picked up a bronze award for their ‘Jasper’ dark ale.

Kate said: "I'm extremely proud that a tiny brewery can produce great craft ale, to a standard that can compete consistently with ale from much bigger companies with greater resources at their disposal.

"Our growth has just been fantastic. We now have eight different ales spanning a whole spectrum of beer styles so the next year will be one of consolidation and continuing to ensure quality.

"Hopefully, we will be at the SIBA National Independent Beer Awards again next year with one of our ales."

Kate and her partner, Jed Martens, founded the brewery in 2014, with a launch of its bottle range in 2017.

The brewery has grown steadily in the last year thanks to the number of people who are interested in buying local.

A small expansion has allowed them to produce more ale but this is still selling quickly and demand often outstrips production.

Support from local retailers and businesses has been key. The Wee Restaurant has also just taken the decision to stock Inner Bay's ale in both their North Queensferry and Edinburgh venues, making them the first Edinburgh outlet for Inner Bay's ale.

Kate also holds stalls at the Rosyth Community Market and the Townhill Local Market.

"It has been a fantastic experience to meet and talk to beer-lovers and find out their thoughts and opinions directly," she said.

"Once again, it highlights the interest people have in products that are produced close to home."