Accolade given by The Good Pub Guide.

A family-run businesses based near Honiton has been chosen by The Good Pub Guide as its ‘Brewery of the Year’ for 2013.

Otter Brewery was honoured in the guide’s annual awards.

In awarding the ‘Brewery of the Year’ accolade to Otter, the Guide’s editors said: “There is a rich variety of beers brewed in the UK, from one-man operations to regional favourites and international giants.

“It was over 20 years ago that we first came across a nicely-named new beer called Otter - and can still remember that first taste.

“With a well balanced range of several varieties, all brewed using water from their own spring, the Otter Brewery is now one of the Westcountry’s most successful breweries.”

The brewery’s marketing manager, Patrick McCaig, who is a the son of Mary Ann and David who started the business in 1990, said: “As a brewery, we pride ourselves on our beer and service to our customers.

“As a company, we do our best to support the on trade, as it is our most important route to market for cask ale.

“We believe pubs should be an essential part of community, so to be recognised in this field gives us tremendous pleasure and endorses how we really want to keep pubs alive and kicking.”

The award caps an extremely busy summer for the brewery which has seen its beers sold during the Olympics in Hyde Park and at six national music festivals, culminating with the Beautiful Days Festival last month.

The guide, underpinned by personal recommendations from thousands of loyal readers, has become a national institution and a bible for pub goers.

The 2013 edition features 4,700 pubs including 252 new entries. Editors Alisdair Aird and Fiona Stapley have this year put particular emphasis on acknowledging pubs that go the ‘extra mile’ for customers during tough economic times.

Devon also triumphed in the ‘Licensees of the Year’ category with Peter and Angela Gatling, of the Merry Harriers at Clayhiddon, near Cullompton, drawing special praise from the judges for their “extra-special commitment and care for their customers even when rushed off their feet”.