After a gap of three years, the Champion Beer of London competition made a comeback at the Ealing Beer Festival in July. A group of 29 people from all sorts of beery backgrounds, including brewers, publicans, beer writers and trained CAMRA judges, carefully assessed 27 beers. There was plenty of sniffing, slurping and staring at the beers to whittle the list down to the nine category winners. A final panel, with fresh palates, then decided on the top three.
It was a difficult job which was taken very seriously, even if the judging took place in the festival’s red big top. Eventually, the judges made their decision, which was unanimous, and the gold was awarded to Naked Ladies from Twickenham Fine Ales, a refreshing golden ale at 4.4% ABV.
This beer first appeared in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide in 2008. It takes its odd name from the Grade II statue in York House Gardens in Twickenham which consists of eight white Carrara marble Oceanides (sea nymphs). It has a strange history and its original name is unknown. It has been known to locals by its current name for generations. Ben Norman, a director of Twickenham Fine Ales, said, “As London’s oldest independent brewery, we’re delighted to still be getting such praise for our cask beers. It’s an honour to get the recognition for such a great beer and to raise the profile of the local landmark it is named after.”
The silver prize was taken by a much younger brewery, Spartan, with their premium porter, Cerberus, (see the February/March 2022 edition of London Drinker to find out more). Third place went to Wimbledon Brewery‘s XXXK Vintage Ale, a barley wine weighing in at a mighty 10% ABV. The complete list of winners is set out below and the customers at Ealing Beer Festival tucked into them all with gusto.
The certificates for winning the golden ale category and the overall gold award were presented to Twickenham Fine Ales in September in front of the statue itself.
The photo shows, front, left to right, Steve Brown, TFA’s founder and managing director, Geoff Strawbridge, CAMRA’s regional director for Greater London, and Ben Norman, as above. Behind them are Ben and Jon Hart from Ealing Beer Festival. The photo was taken by Christine Cryne.
The award for the Mild category was presented to the London Brewing Company on 26 July.
The photo shows Simon Renshaw, CAMRA’s Brewery Liaison Officer for LBC, doing the honours. It was received by managing director Senan Sexton and assistant brewers Jack and Carl.
Christine Cryne
