THE best pint of beer in Britain has been revealed after two years of judging.
Every year the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) takes nominations from across the country for its Champion Beer of Britain award.
Britain’s best pint of beer has been revealed[/caption]
This competition is one of the most coveted and well-respected competitions in the world and can put the winner firmly in the national and international spotlight.
All beers must be nominated by individual CAMRA members and a tasting panel.
They then compete in regional competitions using a strict blind tasting policy.
There are seven judging categories:
- Mild
- Session bitter
- Premium bitter
- IPAs
- Session pale, blond and golden ales
- Premium pale, blond and golden ales
- Winter round winners
The shortlist has been whittled down and one winner was crowned at a ceremony in Newark on Wednesday.
Crouch Vale’s Amarillo was named the overall winner after a hard-fought final round of judging.
It has an ABV of 5% and is made with American hops.
The beer was described by Christine Cryne, the judging panel organiser, as having “a tangy aroma with a faint note of biscuit”.
She added: “The flavour is full of tropical and citrus notes on a sweet biscuit base. Dry sweetish bitter finish. A full flavoured beer.”
Christine described it as a “commendable winner, worthy of the respected title despite exceptionally strong competition”.
Brewery directors Colin and Fiona Bocking said they were “delighted” to have bagged the award after previously winning it in 2005 and 2006.
The beer can be bought through the brewery’s website or at a selection of pubs and farm shops across the UK.
Eight 500ml bottles are available for £20.26 on the Crouch Vale website.
Silver prize winner was the IPA from Anspach and Hobday, which has a 6% ABV.
Judges said it is a “wonderful fruity new world IPA”.
It has aromas of citrus and tropical fruit which are “perfectly balanced by the bitterness, leading to a dry, spicy finish.”
It can be bought online through the brewery’s website.
In bronze was the Trawlerboys Best Bitter from Green Jack Brewery, which has an ABV of 4.6%.
It was described by judges as being an “attractive orangey brown beer with a honey biscuit nose”.
Judges said it is “complex and very drinkable”.
It is available on the Green Jack website.
Laura Emson, CAMRA’s Awards Director, said: “Crouch Vale should be incredibly proud of this accolade, and I hope that beer lovers across the UK will seek out and try Amarillo out for themselves.”
Beer of the year shortlist 2024
Here is the full list of all category winners:
MILD
Gold – Penzance Brewing Co, Mild
Silver – Brains, Dark
Bronze – Five Kingdoms Brewery, McGregor’s Mild
SESSION BITTER
Gold – Logan Beck Brewing, Proper Bitter
Silver – Mighty Oak Brewing Co, Captain Bob
Bronze – Windsor & Eton Brewery, Guardsman
PREMIUM BITTER
Gold – Green Jack Brewery, Trawlerboys Best Bitter
Silver – Sharp’s Brewery, Sea Fury
Bronze – Cairngorm Brewery, Wildcat
IPAs
Gold – Anspach & Hobday, The IPA
Silver – Byatt’s Brewery, Mahana IPA
Bronze – Bragdy Twt Lol, Dreigiau’r Diafol / Diablo Dragons
SESSION PALE, BLOND & GOLDEN ALES
Gold – Loch Lomond Brewery, Southern Summit
Silver – Oakham Ales, Citra
Bronze – Bewdley Brewery, Sunshine
PREMIUM PALE, BLOND & GOLDEN ALES
Gold – Crouch Vale Brewery, Amarillo
Silver – St Austell Brewery, Proper Job
Bronze – Swannay Brewery, Orkney IPA
WINTER ROUND WINNERS
Stouts and Porters, Session: Lancaster Brewery, Lancaster Black
Stouts and Porters, Strong: Green Jack Brewery, Baltic Trader Export Stout
Speciality, Flavoured: Purple Moose Brewery, Elderflower Ale (Cwrw Ysagwen)
Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales: Sarah Hughes Brewery, Snowflake
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