Greene King IPA has also been awarded a Silver award in the overall 'Champion Beer of Britain 2004' category. The awards follow on from strong sales results recently announced by the Bury St. Edmunds based brewers and Greene King IPA is its flagship brand.

The awards are attributed to the dedicated efforts from the Greene King Brewing Company whose team of brewers have worked continuously to maintain and improve the quality of GKIPA both at the brewery and in pubs, ensuring customers are totally satisfied with the consistency in quality of GKIPA.

Greene King Brewing Company recognise the importance of the award and are extremely proud to receive both Gold and Silver status recognition from CAMRA. Rooney Anand, Managing Director of the Greene King Brewing Company comments: "We are delighted that a brand from an established British regional brewer has been selected and acknowledged for its quality cask ales. We wholly support CAMRA's efforts to raise the profile of real cask ale."

"We have always believed that our brands are fantastic, but it is excellent to receive this recognition, especially as the judging is undertaken on blind tastings," concludes Anand.

IPA, standing for India Pale Ale, has been produced in Bury St. Edmunds for over 100 years and was brewed originally for export to ex-patriots during the days of the Indian Raj. Because hops have a preservative effect on beer, an unusually large quantity of hops were used in the brewing process to ensure the beer remained in good condition during the long sea voyage to India. It was a taste that caught on in Britain among beer drinkers who had never had a whiff of the sub continent.

The wonderful fresh hoppy taste and the distinctive aroma comes from a combination of two varieties of English hop - Challenger and English First Gold - these together with pale and crystal malts give it a fantastic bittersweet balance.

The Greene King Brewing Company's portfolio of premium ales also includes Old Speckled Hen, Ruddles County, Abbot Ale, Strong Suffolk and Beer To Dine For.