In some years, CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition is more tightly fought than others. This year it really was difficult. The judges on the final panel had a very hard choice when deciding on the medallists. It was also encouraging that the top four beers were a true reflection of the quality of Britain’s cask beer and the range of styles and flavours available.
First place, by a whisker, went to Bristol Beer Factory’s Independence (4.6% ABV), which had won the Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales category. “A pale strong beer. Strong enticing citrus nose, with piney hops. Caramelised citrus, tangerines, grapefruit and digestive biscuits lead to a dry peppery bittersweet finish, which lingers. Refreshing full flavoured, fruity and smooth.”
Second place went to a Scottish premium bitter, Wildcat (5.1% ABV) from Cairngorm Brewery. “Toffee, malt hops and a little orange on the nose, flavour is dark orange marmalade with honey. The spicy hops develop and then linger in a dry bitter finish, which is balanced by some toffee notes. Well balanced and satisfying.”
Third place went to a strong dark ruby beer from Driftwood Spas, who are based in Trevaunance Cove, Cornwall. Their Alfie’s Revenge weighs in at 6.5% ABV, narrowly beating a beer with an alcohol content at the other end of the scale as fourth place went to a mild.
You might not have heard of Shortts Brewery in Eye, Suffolk, but they have been around since 2012. Their Two Tone Mild (3.8% ABV), which had won the Mild category, pleased the judges. Beer writer Roger Protz was particularly taken with it as a great example of a British dark mild.
Blue Monkey took home two golds as category winners for BG Sips (4% ABV) (Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales) and Infinity Plus 1 (5.6% ABV) (IPAs [English and New World]) with another gold, for Session Bitters, going to Purple Moose’s Glaslyn Ale (4.2% ABV).
The competition is however more than just the gold medal winners; it takes two years for a beer to get to the final judging and all of the beers were worthy of their place. For a full list of the 50 plus beers judged, see https://cryneinyourbeer.sitelio.me/cryne-in-your-beer-articles.
There are two opportunities coming up to taste some of the beers that are competing to be judged next year. Wimbledon Brewery are very kindly hosting the Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales category for London and the South East region at their September beer festival (details at https://wimbledonbrewery.com/) while the judging for the regional Mild category will be held at the Pig’s Ear Beer Festival in December (www.pigsear.org.uk). In addition, the Bohemia in North Finchley will be hosting the judging for the East Anglian region bottle and can-conditioned beers category on Saturday 7 November (2.15 start). This is an opportunity for people to assess the beers and score them, so that you can see how difficult it can be to be a beer judge. See https://tinyurl.com/EastAnglianbeers.
Christine Cryne