The Champion Beer of Britain is the highest honour CAMRA can bestow upon a brewer, putting the winner firmly in both the UK-wide and international spotlight. The award is the most sought after and well-respected cask beer competition in the world.
The competition is fiercely independent (and that’s not just because it’s the name of the winning beer), with judging taking two years to complete. Each year kicks off with individual nominations from CAMRA members and volunteer tasting panels, then regional competitions. Every round of judging, including the final at Cambridge Beer Festival, uses a strict blind tasting policy.
Sam Burrows, Managing Director of Bristol Beer Factory, said: “The lineage of the Champion Beer of Britain is impeccable. It features some of the best beers of all time: Landlord, Bluebird, Cwtch, JHB, Rudgate Ruby Mild, and now Independence.
“We could not be more chuffed. In an era when the majority of our successful contemporaries have prioritised keg, we have remained steadfastly committed to the brilliance of cask. We brew around 60 different cask beers per year, but only four beers all year. And the one that made our name, the one that blends the tradition of cask with the punch of modern American hop legends is Independence. It’s been a staple of South West cask pumps for 15 years – what took you so long!
“We love cask. Raise a glass to independent drinkers, to indie venues, and to our bold, citrusy 4.6% IPA Independence, or as we call it ‘Indy’. Cheers and thank you from all of us at Bristol Beer Factory.”
The silver and bronze winners were:
Silver: Wildcat (ABV 5.1%), a premium bitter by Cairngorm, was described by the judges as: “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.”
Bronze: Alfie’s Revenge (6.5%), a strong ale by Driftwood Spars, was described by the judges as: “Fruity aroma with toffee and some pear notes. Flavour estery overlaid with toffee and caramelised fruit. Finish remains sweet, with a bitterness which grows, alongside a little dryness. Full flavoured and rich.”
