18 Yorkshire beers have reached the final of a prestigious national competition.

They and six from County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne & Wear have been selected from the "north east region" for the Society of Independent Brewers’ competition.

Two of the Yorkshire beers have been selected in two categories.

The finals are at BeerX in Sheffield from March 16 to 19.

The shortlisted Yorkshire beers are:

  • Hefeweizen by Bad Seed Brewery in Malton
  • Helles Lager by Brass Castle Brewery in Malton
  • 1872 porter by Elland Brewery - in both the cask and keg categories
  • Black Jesus by Great Heck Brewery
  • Shankar IPA by Great Heck Brewery
  • Thoroughbred IPA by Hambleton Ales
  • The Mayan by Ilkley Brewery
  • Gathering Storm by Leeds Brewery
  • Ratsputin by Rat Brewery
  • Sanctuary Pale Lager by Revolutions Brewery in Castleford
  • Severina Vienna Lager, also by Revolutions Brewery
  • Ruby Mild by Rudgate Brewery in Tockwith - in both the cask and can/bottle categories
  • Triple Chocoholic by Saltaire Brewery
  • Nine Standards No 4 Amber Ale by Settle Brewing Co
  • Thunderbridge Stout by Small World Beers in Huddersfield
  • Heart & Soul by Vocation Brewery in Hebden Bridge
  • Otherside IPA by York Brewery
  • Boltmaker by Timothy Taylor's 

They are joined by six beers from further north:

  • Pennine Pale by Allendale Brewery
  • Jack the Devil by Cullercoats Brewery
  • IPA and Allelic Drift by Mordue Brewery
  • Bourbon Milk Stout by Sonnet 43
  • Summer Breeze by Tyne Bank Brewery

BeerX is Siba's flagship event. The regional final will include eight cask beers, eight bottled/canned beers and 10 craft keg beers.

The overall winners will be announced at an evening awards ceremony on March 16.

Mike Benner, managing director of SIBA, said: “SIBA’s beer competition represents the very best in British brewing across all formats, from traditional cask and bottled beer to the growing number of craft canned and kegged beers.

"Having made it to the top of their regional competitions these beers are already winners, but the final National judging which takes place at BeerX is designed to find the very best of the best.”

The image above is reproduced, unaltered, from flickr under licence. Copyright 2009 J. Ronald Lee.