As is now traditional, the judging of this year’s Champion Beer of London competition was held at CAMRA’s Ealing Beer Festival (organised by the West Middlesex branch). The aim of the competition is to promote the best in cask beers, as brewed by London brewers. The decision as to which beers are judged comes from the members’ voting for CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition and CAMRA’s London Tasting Panel. It was organised by Christine Cryne, the chair of the London Tasting Panel.
A total of 30 beers were judged from 17 different breweries. The best represented, with four entries each, were Five Points and Sambrook’s. All of the winners will receive a certificate in due course.
The beers were judged in ten separate categories and the category winners were as follows:
- Session Bitters: Anspach & Hobday – The Ordinary Bitter (3.7% ABV)
- Premium Bitters: Fuller’s – Gales HSB (4.8% ABV)
- IPA (British and New World): Signature – Backstage IPA (5.6% ABV)
- Speciality: Sambrook’s – Lavender Hill (4.5% ABV)
- Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: Five Points – XPA (4% ABV)
- Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: Hammerton – N7 (4.8% ABV)
- Milds: Tap East – East End Mild (3.5% ABV)
- Brown & Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds: Portobello – Chestnut Ale (4.5% ABV)
- Session Porters & Stouts: London Brewing Company – 100 Oyster Stout (4.6% ABV)
- Strong Porters & Stouts: Redemption – Fellowship Porter (5.1% ABV)
A final judging panel then decides on the overall winners from the category winners. These were:
- Gold: London Brewing Company – 100 Oyster Stout
- Silver: Fuller’s – Gales HSB
- Bronze: Five Points – XPA
Our congratulations to all those involved. The photo shows Senan Sexton and the crew from the London Brewing Company with the winner’s cup. Festival Organiser Ben Hart (right) is holding the cup with Senan. Between them is Simon Renshaw, the Brewery Liaison Officer.