A Norfolk brewery is toasting national success after winning gold at the Great British Beer Festival.

Beeston Brewery's On the Huh won the strong bitters category of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) event in London.

Brewer Mark Riches said he was delighted the beer – named after the Norfolk colloquialism meaning a bit wonky or not quite straight – had been crowned a national winner and that it was Beeston Brewery's biggest award to date.

'It was a big surprise and it's brilliant news for us and our staff,' he said, adding that the beer had also been named best strong bitter for East Anglia

'We have been brewing about six years and On the Huh was the second beer we brewed so it has been with us almost from the beginning. It is an old-style traditional bitter with more complex flavours. It's different so it stands out.'

He said since winning the national award Beeston Brewery has been inundated with calls from people across the country asking if the brewery wanted to sell On the Huh to wholesalers, but Mr Riches said he was keen to keep things local.

He said: 'It's pointless saving beer miles when you produce the beer and then adding beer miles on when you sell the beer. I want the tractor drivers harvesting the crop to drink the beer in their pub. That's what's special to me, to keep it local.'

Woodforde's, in Woodbastwick, won bronze for Nelson's Revenge in the Best Bitters category.

Woodforde's managing director Rupert Farquharson said: 'We were up against some fantastic British beers and are pleased to have brought home the bronze award. This is the second award we have collected this year for Nelson's Revenge, with the first being at The International Brewing Awards in April '