Hat-trick for Saltaire at SIBA awards
West Yorkshire brewery Saltaire scooped three awards at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) National Beer Competition 2010.
Saltaire took the top title of Supreme Champion Beer 2010 for its Triple Chocoholic, a 4.8% abv chocolate stout.
The same beer won the Gold Award in the Champion Speciality Beer category, while the brewery's Cascade Pale Ale scooped the Champion Premium Bitters prize.
All 10 winning beers were chosen last month at the Canalhouse pub in Nottingham, where 50 judges gathered to pick the winners from the 56 cask and seven bottled finalist beers.
A Gold, Silver and Bronze Award were given in each of the nine categories, and the Supreme Champion title was then selected from the eight draught Gold winners.
"Winning three Awards is a great thrill," said Tony Gartland, owner and head brewer at Saltaire Brewery.
"I thought we stood a good chance in the Speciality Beer category, but to win the overall title was a real surprise and shows that the UK's beer drinkers are ready for new, different tastes."
SIBA's outgoing chairman, Peter Amor, said: "The success of the competition reflects that of the local brewing sector.
"Our beers offer the quality, taste, individuality and provenance that consumers are looking for. It is no surprise that smaller breweries are bucking the overall UK beer trend and growing volumes."
SIBA announced that it will introduce a new Design Award to its Brewing Business Awards 2010 to recognise the best designs for bottle labels, pump clips and point of sale material.
Full list of winners:
• Supreme Champion Beer 2010 Triple Chocoholic: Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire
• Champion Milds (up to 4% abv): Dark Mild Bank Top Brewery, Bolton
• Champion Bitters & Pale Ales (up to 4% abv): Lord Marples, Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire
• Champion Best Bitters (4.1 - 4.5% abv): Darwins Origin, Salopian Brewing, Shrewsbury
• Champion Premium Bitters (4.6 - 4.9% abv): Cascade Pale Ale Supreme Speciality Beer, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire
• Champion Strong Bitters (5.1 - 5.5% abv): Big Chief Bitter, Greenmill Brewery, Rochdale
• Champion Strong Ales (over 5.6% abv): Dorothy Goodbody's Country Ale, Wye Valley Brewery
• Champion Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts: Guerilla, Blue Monkey Brewery, Derbyshire
• Champion Speciality Beers: Triple Chocoholic, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire
• Champion Bottled Beers: Proper Job, St Austell Brewery
