Beers from the Bury St Edmunds and Oxfordshire breweries, which are also available in cask format across the UK, struck silver and bronze at the World Beer Awards and the International Beer Challenge.
Suffolk-based Greene King has achieved two silver awards at the World Beer Awards for Old Midnight Hen and Hazy Day Fruity IPA – which is available in keg and bottle – this month (August).
Taking silver in the stout category, Old Midnight Hen is a 4.2% ABV English stout that was launched last year as part of the Old Speckled Hen family.
Greene King said it has “rich, complex flavours and is packed with notes of chocolate and coffee, while carefully chosen hops provide the ideal balance of bitterness”.
Meanwhile, Hazy Day Fruity IPA (4.3% ABV), which is the newest addition to Greene King’s craft range and a silver in the session category at the World Beer Awards, is a “smooth, fruity IPA with orange, citrus and tropical notes”.
The name for the beer was inspired by a 16th-century tradition in Bury St Edmunds, where those convicted of minor crimes were sentenced to a day in the pillories.
Success across portfolio
Hazy Day Fruity IPA also secured a bronze medal at the International Beer Challenge, alongside Abbot Ale, Abbot Reserve and Greene King Imperial IPA.
Describing the bronze medallists, Greene said Abbot Ale 5% ABV is a “traditional ale with masses of fruit character, malty richness, and superb hop balance”; Abbot Reserve (6.5% ABV) is a “bottled premium ale, bursting with fruit cake and toffee flavours, loved by beer enthusiasts.”
It added Greene King Imperial IPA, launched earlier this year, is a “6% ABV beer brewed to a higher strength to reflect the original 19th-century style of IPA. It offers a sweet, malty taste and aroma with floral, tropical fruit, and toffee notes and is available in retail outlets nationwide”.
Greene King managing director for brewing and brands Matt Starbuck said: “We’re delighted to have received recognition at two of the beer industry’s most prestigious awards, celebrating successes right across our portfolio.
“Brewing great beer is at the heart of what we do, and these accolades are a real credit to our talented brewers and dedicated teams who work tirelessly to craft the exceptional range we’re proud to offer.
“We remain committed to investing in and evolving our portfolio, ensuring we bring consumers a diverse choice of high-quality styles and flavours to enjoy all year round.”
Available on cask year-round
Hook Norton Brewery is also raising a celebratory pint after also securing two medals at the 2025 World Beer Awards.
The brewery’s much-loved Old Hooky Premium Ale claimed a silver medal while Hooky Best Bitter proudly took home a bronze medal.
The brewery said: “Both beers are available year-round on cask across Hook Norton Brewery’s own pubs and in discerning free houses.
“Bottled versions are also available, with Old Hooky enjoyed as far afield as Australia thanks to the brewery’s export programme.”
Hook Norton Brewery managing director James Clarke said: “We’re incredibly proud of this recognition from the World Beer Awards.
“It’s a testament to our brewing team’s passion, expertise, and dedication. Old Hooky and Hooky Best are staples of our range, and it’s fantastic to see them recognised on the global stage.”
