A Petts Wood-based brewery has been voted the best beer in this year’s Bromley CAMRA Beer Festival after being in business for only three years.

Matrix was founded by Bromley based duo Alex Mears and Mark Irwin who began the business in December 2020.

It was voted as Beer of the Festival and came up against known names including Verdant, Cloudwater, Deya and The Kernel.

The festival took place between July 27 and July 29 at Beckenham Rugby Club, and was attended by over 1,500 people celebrating the best in beer and cider, with people having the chance to vote for their favourites.

The winning beer, “Where’s The Bloody Vindaloo, Hippy?”, is described by the business as a “chilli chocolate stout” inspired by the 1980s comedy The Young Ones.

Co-founder Mark Irwin described the award as a “huge honour” to receive, after taking a “risk” to brew a chilli flavoured beer during the summer.

He explained: “Some of our heroes had beers at this festival, so for ours to come out on top feels like a huge honour.

"It might have seemed a risk to brew a chilli beer in the height of summer, but this feels like a vindication for ‘Vindaloo’.”

Co-founder Alex Mears added: “To be crowned people’s choice is a big honour for our small brewery. We were at the festival, so we know how high the standard was.

“Bromley CAMRA put on a fabulous range, so to come out ahead of our peers in beers is a massive thrill”.

Anne Claridge, Bromley CAMRA Festival co-ordinator, said: “Our congratulations to Marlix on a truly hot beer.

“With over 6,500 pints of beer and cider drunk in the three days of the festival it takes something exceptional to stand out.

“To have a local brewery win the honour also shows how great the beer in Bromley is”.