WARRINGTON has proved itself as one of the best places to have a pint in Cheshire.

Three breweries in the area were named ‘champions’ at the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Cheshire Beer Festival at Chester Racecourse.

Coach House Brewing Company’s Gunpowder was named champion beer in the mild category.

The Lymm Brewing Company, part of Dunham Massey Brewing Company, was given the top award in the strong bitter section for Lymm Dam Strong Ale.

Latchford’s 4Ts Brewery was also given ‘champion’ status for its stout, which also came fifth overall in the Cheshire Beer of the Year award.

Jordan Millington, head brewer at 4Ts, said: “It was great to win the award for the Cheshire stout category.

“It was a good year overall for Warrington brewers with 4Ts, Coach House and Lymm Brewing Company all getting awards.”

4Ts, owned by John Wilkinson, is busy expanding its range for 2017 with the introduction of an English bitter, Czech-style pilsner, an American pale ale and a double IPA.

There will also be a range of new craft beers with details yet to be unveiled.

Jordan, a former Priestley College student, will also be helping to create a microbrewery in Hop Co in Bold Street next year.

He added: “The beer scene in Warrington is starting to look promising with new bars like Hop Co and Bear and Bottle in Mersey Street which is opening soon.

“There are also a few new breweries starting up in the Warrington area and it will be exciting to see what they can produce.

“Things are definitely looking up for the real ale and craft drinkers of Warrington.”

The top awards at the Cheshire Beer Festival went to Beartown Brewery.

The Congleton beer makers won both gold and silver for their Black Bear and Ginger Bear beers respectively.

Bronze went to Merlin Brewery Company, a microbrewery in Arclid, for its amber ale, Spellbound.

Prizes will be presented to the award-winning breweries early in the new year.

DAVID MORGAN