INDEPENDENT Burnley brewer Moorhouse's is about to become the only beer-maker in the world to win industry Oscars for all its mainstream beers.

The Brewing Industry International Awards (BIIA) will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at London's Guild Hall on Tuesday, May 25.

Two of Moorhouse's real ales, Premier Bitter and Pride Of Pendle, have been nominated and, under Independent Brewers Association (IBA) rules, are guaranteed to walk away with medals in their class.

The success means that all four of the brewer's core beers will have received these premier seals of approval from the BIIA, considered to be the Oscars of brewing because the winning brewers are chosen by their industry peers. Over the past ten years the brewery's famous Black Cat and the celebrated Pendle Witches Brew have both taken medals at the awards.

Black Cat was a Double Gold Medal Winner in 1998, while Pendle Witches Brew achieved a Silver Medal in 1996.

David Grant, Moorhouse's general manager, said: "To be nominated for these awards is a great success in itself, as we are assured of receiving at least two medals.

"It appears we are the only brewer in the world to achieve BIIA recognition for each of its mainstream beers and this is a phenomenal accolade.

"It means Moorhouse's, as a small independent brewer, has beaten the big boys fair and square."

Moorhouse's was founded in 1865 as a brewer of hop bitters and started brewing full strength real ales in the 1970s.

Traditionally the Burnley brewer has supplied free trade and pub company outlets in the North of England as well as its own small pub estate in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.