Freddie picks up drinking honour

Cricket hero Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff has been honoured with the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group's Beer Drinker of the Year award.

Flintoff, the face of Thwaites' Lancaster Bomber beer, has helped boost sales of the brand following his sublime performances in last year's Ashes series.

Lancashire-based Thwaites celebrated a double victory after head brewer Steve Fielding was named Brewer of the Year.

Flintoff's award was picked up by Thwaites' managing director Brian Hickman at the Beer Group's annual dinner in London.

Group secretary Robert Humphreys praised Fielding for his work creating the German lager Kaltenberg Hell.

"To brew a credible lager in a traditional regional brewery is an achievement in its own right.

"To brew one and take the silver medal at the International Beer Competition in Munich is special," said Humphreys.

Elsewhere, Simon Loftus, retiring chairman of Adnams, won a Lifetime Achievement Award "in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the local community, the county, and to the environment".

He was also applauded for leading the construction of Adnams' new environmentally-friendly distribution site.

The two "President's Awards" went to Rupert Thompson, managing director of Refresh UK, and Rupert Ponsonby, of R&R Teamwork.

Thompson won the honour for the "energy, commitment and determination he delivered to accomplish the tough task

of re-establishing Brakspear's brewery at Wychwood and the crucial part he played in the creation of the Beer Academy".

Ponsonby's award was in recognition of "his creative dedication to the promotion of beer, hops and food and beer matching".

The awards were presented by Beer Group president and Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin.