A BREWERY in Malvern is celebrating after one of its beers won a prestigious national award.

The Friday Beer Company, set up by three former QinetiQ employees eight years ago, has been given a gold “European Beer Challenge” medal for its “WR14” golden ale.

Gerald Williams, one of the founders, alongside Perry Jackson and Andrew Keir, said: “We were all scientists at Qinetiq until 2010 when we were made redundant.

“We decided to try brewing and set up the Friday Beer Company the following year.

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“We were shocked initially when we won the award because we have entered before but not won before as it is a very big competition.”

The Friday Beer Company was up against some illustrious competition, with more than 1,000 samples from 38 countries and names like ABInBev, Freedom Brewery, Waldhaus and Barcelona Beer Company.

The European Beer Challenge awards were handed out after blind tasting, held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London.

Some of the world’s most prominent beer buyers were on hand to judge the entrants, with Friday Beer Company emerging as gold medal winners.