An east Hamilton beer maker has been recognized as Brewery of the Year in a national competition.

Clifford Brewing earned top honours at the Canadian Brewing Awards in Toronto on the weekend, scoring medals for two porters, a golden ale and its "East Hamilton" lager.

"We're pretty stoked about it," said Eric Muller. "It's recognition for us and also for Hamilton, which is slowly becoming more of a craft beer destination city."

The brewery at Barton Street East and Nash Road only opened its doors to the public in 2017 — joining an influx of up-and-coming craft brewers coming to the city on the same timeline like Fairweather, Grain and Grit and Merit.