Rudgate Ruby Mild crowned Champion Beer
Rudgate Ruby Mild has been crowned Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival.
Ruby Mild, which has an abv of 4.4%, is described in Camra's Good Beer Guide 2009 as a "nutty, rich ruby ale, stronger than usual for a mild".
The beer is brewed by the Rudgate Brewery in York, which was founded in 1992. The York brewed real ale was chosen as the overall winner from over sixty finalists in seven categories (Best Bitters, Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Speciality, Winter Beer and Strong Bitters) including beers from tiny micros to major regional brewers.
"It's a tremendous boost for the mild category. It's good to see a classic British traditional beer making such a comeback in the age of golden ales and much paler beers in general," said Roger Protz.
"The judges were impressed by rich, fruity character, and the fact that it's quite hoppy and bitter for a mild ale. Its victory should invigorate the whole mild ale category."
Craig Lee, Rudgate's brewery owner, said: "It's an excellent achievement, we've come close in previous years, and we are really proud to have won the Champion Beer of Britain.
"It's unbelievable, and we hope our beer helps popularise the cause of real ale."
He told the Morning Advertiser he was confident the brewery could keep up with demand as its 60-barrel plant was only operating at 60% capacity.
"There will be initial demand but once that levels off we will be able to keep up with the demand," he said. "I'm still in a bit of a daze. It is superb."
Rudgate employs three full-time staff and four on a part-time basis and currently supplies 200 pubs. It is also part of SIBA's direct delivery scheme. It won silver at the Festival last year.
Asked about the secret of his success Lee said: "Quality. People will pay £3 for a good pint but they won't for a naff pint. I am even more confident now that we have produced a good product."
Champion Beer of Britain winners
Champion Beer of Britain: Rudgate, Ruby Mild (York, North Yorkshire)
Second: Oakham, Attila (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
Third: West Berkshire, Dr Hexter's Healer (Thatcham, Berkshire)
