THE Bluestone Brewery near Newport has just missed out on a prestigious national award.

The brewery, situated at Tyriet Farm in the Preseli Hills, was shortlisted to the final four in the ‘Green Business’ category at the Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA) annual awards.

However, Bluestone, which started production three years ago, lost out on the night at an awards ceremony in Sheffield to the Swan Brewery, in Herefordshire.

The Bluestone brewery certainly ticked a lot of boxes in its bid to life the crown – solar panels on the roof of the brewery; the use of natural spring water; a reed bed filtration system; the by-products of the brewing process being fed back to the farm’s animals and the recycling and re-use of bags, boxes and plastics.

Bluestone marketing manager Emily Hutchinson said: “We’re disappointed not to win but so pleased to have made it to the last four and to get national recognition.

“We are very proud of the beers we produce. It is hard work and to be recognised for what we do and the way we work is great.

“We thought we stood a good chance but the brewery that won was doing some extreme things, including delivering their beer by bicycle. We won’t be doing that here.”

Far from resting on their laurels, the brewery has a number of other projects in the pipeline for the future to push its green credentials further, and who knows, scoop the top award next year.

It is looking at installing compost toilets and to introduce green brewery tours that are more focused on the environmental side of things. A grass roof could be installed on the stage where live performances are held.

Tentative talks are also taking place with the National Park authorities about further business opportunities and putting footpaths through the farm.