A NORTH Yorkshire brewery has won a national award for its veggie beer.

Sam Smith's, of Tadcaster, was presented with the best vegetarian beverage award 2001 for its Organic Best Ale.

The award is one of eleven handed out each year by the UK Vegetarian Society to encourage "best practice" among manufacturers and caterers.

The society's judging panel said the malted barley, cane sugar and aromatic hops, used by Sam Smith's to brew its Organic Best Ale, were all organically grown by registered farmers. The result was a "delicately flavoured golden ale in which fruity esters from the old Sam Smith's yeast strain interact with the background of maltiness and fresh hops."

The judges said the organic ale was reminiscent of early 20th century brews, not only in the brewing process and flavour but label design as well.

Updated: 12:14 Wednesday, July 25, 2001