Orders rocket for GBBF Champion Beer of Britain 2013

Martin Ogley, manager at the West Yorkshire-based Elland Brewery, said there is “not a drop left” of the winning beer in stock and orders have sold out for the next three weeks.

“The stock is showing a level of -80, which means 80 nine-gallon casks have been ordered and we haven’t got them in stock,” he said. “For a 6.5% ABV black beer in the middle of summer this is unheard of.”

Challenging​

He said he usually brews the porter once or twice a month and now has to fit in two brews a week to keep up with the demand.

“I am failing miserably! I’m really sorry I can’t brew more of it — unfortunately people will just have to wait,” he added.

“The week before the announcement was made was the busiest week in the brewery’s 12-year history and it has just been made even busier!

“But we have 200 customers — pubs, wholesalers and local beer festivals — to keep happy and not all of them want the porter. It’s about finding the balance in what people want.

“It’s a nice position to be in, though — I am certainly not complaining.”

Competition​

The Elland 1872 Porter beat off stiff competition to win the champion beer of Britain award at the festival on 13 August after a blind tasting was conducted by leading beer experts and judges. It was also the winner of the 2013 Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) winter Beer of Britain competition.

Ogley said the brewery’s other beers are trading at a normal level but is optimistic orders for these will increase over time too.

“I hope people will think if our 1872 Porter’s good, our other stuff must be as well. We’ve seen a 20% increase in trade year on year since we opened 12 years ago - more and more people are switching to real ale.”