A ‘TASTING room’ at a brewery in Cleobury Mortimer has won a top award.

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) announced the winners of their annual Business & Industry Awards, presented at the BeerX event in Sheffield.

Cleobury-based brewer Hobsons fought off tough competition to take the acclaimed marketing award for its Tasting Room.

More than 850 member breweries are invited to enter the annual business awards which celebrates excellence in the brewing industry across a variety of categories.

"Hobsons had clearly realised their vision to create an enhanced visitor experience at their brewery by developing a sustainable tasting room working alongside local food partners," said the judges.

"The visitors centre and tasting room is not only a huge marketing asset for the brewery, but an example of what can be done on a limited budget when social media and other public relations activities are utilised effectively."

In April 2014 Hobsons opened the new facility at its site in Cleobury Mortimer to host brewery trips and special events following a successful bid for funding from Defra's Rural Development Programme.

"Last year we had more than 1,250 visitors attend our special events and we have worked with over 18 local businesses,” said Kate Pearce, marketing manager at Hobsons.

“It's firmly embedded in the local community and we will continue to evolve the events and work with more local producers."

Hobsons programme of brewery nights and foodie events has been very successful with some events selling out in a day!

These have included a Fish Night with Ludlow Fish house matching taster dishes with Hobsons ales, a sausage making and BBQ evening, and an Offal night run by the Worcestershire Slow Food group.