Oakham’s Grainstore Brewery will sell its Ten Fifty and Rutland Panther beers in bottles in Tesco stores across the Midlands as part of the supermarket’s Buy Local campaign.

The Grainstore’s beers will be well known to drinkers who visit pubs and restaurants around the county and further afield.

Master brewer and owner, Tony Davis said: “We’ve been in discussions with Tesco for about five or six months and our beers are now in stores.

“It’s all part of Tesco’s Buy Local initiative which is a great idea for local producers.”

Both beers have won multiple awards, with Rutland Panther being awarded runner-up champion beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival 2005 and Ten Fifty being awarded the supreme champion title at the Society of Independent Brewers awards in 2003.

Mr Davis said: “They are both very good beers and Tesco chose them themselves because of their taste and popularity.

“We have always bottled Ten Fifty, conditioned in the bottle with sediment at the bottom, but the beer on the supermarket shelves is different and it’s the first time we have bottled Rutland Panther.

“The customers have been very supportive and have said they will buy it.

“We have always had tourists who have come in for a beer and then taken bottles of Ten Fifty home for presents for people.”

Ten Fifty is a full strength mahogany coloured beer, which has a moreishness typical of a beer posessing the fine balance of pronounced hop bitterness and aroma against a natural malty sweetness, creating a deceivingly drinkable beer.

Rutland Panther is a refreshing, well-balanced dark mid ale, with chocolate and fruity flavours to compliment its roasted long bitter finish.

James Gough, Tesco regional marketing manager for the Midlands, said: “We are proud to support local producers and sell locally produced products.

“Our customers tell us they want more local choice in Tesco stores and these great beers from Rutland are a great addition to our ever growing range of Midlands products.”

The Grainstore Brewery was started more than 12 years ago by Tony Davis, a master brewer and Mike Davies, an innovative fabrication engineer who started Davis’es Brewing Company.

They are now hoping to expand the brewery which is currently above the pub next to the railway station in Oakham, and move to new premises.

Mr Davis said: “We hope this is the start of new developments and it would be nice for the beers to be sold nationally.

“Tesco have been very helpful as there is a lot of things we have to comply to.”

Ten Fifty and Rutland Panther are available at Tesco stores across the Midlands now.