Bob inspires Cradley brewery's winning ale (From Halesowen News)

Bob inspires Cradley brewery's winning ale

2:59pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Local

A CRADLEY microbrewery has scooped an award for a beer created as a tribute to a popular local landlord.

Angel Ales brew BOB61 was named ‘beer of the festival’ at Stourbridge Beer Festival - an accolade voted for by drinkers attending the event.

The six and a half per cent stout was created as a tribute to Waggon and Horses landlord Bob Dummons as he celebrated his 61st birthday.

Bob has been behind the bar of the popular watering hole in Stourbridge Road for 24 years.

The award was presented to Angel Ales founders Nik Pritchard and Andy Kirk by CAMRA at the Waggon.

Nik and Andy, who met whilst working for a civil engineering company in Birmingham, set up Angel Ales, in Furlong Lane, Cradley, in 2011.

The pair bought and gutted then renovated their premises - a pre-1900 chapel of rest and coffin makers.

They run the brewery as a hobby and both still work full-time in civil engineering.

Nik said: “What’s great about this award is it is not voted for by a committee - it’s being voted for by the general public and I’ve only got so many friends who go!”

Bob said the beer being named after him was a “very nice gesture.”

It is the second time the brewery has won beer of the festival at Stourbridge Beer Festival - last year it won with Angel Ale - a four per cent pale ale.

CAMRA also presented Bob with an award for the Stourbridge and Halesowen Branch’s Cider Pub Of The Year for 2012.

Angel Ale is available at the Waggon and Horses and Graham’s Place in Wollaston. BOB61 has sold out.