South east winners of SIBA awards announced

The overall champion of the competition was awarded to Tzar Imperial Stout by Black Cat Brewery​.

Judges agreed on the complexity and depth of flavour of the beer which takes its cue from the heavy and full-flavoured dark beers once exported to Imperial Russia in the 18th Century. 

Windsor & Eton Brewery won gold in the smallpack (bottled and canned) competition with Uprising Treason​, a West Coast style IPA with punchbowl fruit flavours and a bitter, lingering aftertaste.

Brian Wratten from Black Cat Brewery said: “I’m absolutely delighted, over the moon to be able to accept this award on behalf of my son, the brewer at Black Cat. He puts a huge amount of effort into getting the right taste for all of his beers but this one in particular has developed and improved over time.”

Paddy Johnson, brewer and one of the three founders of Windsor & Eton, said: "We work relentlessly to constantly improve as a brewery and make the absolute best we can and its an absolute delight to win this award, it means so much to us. Everyone at the brewery will be absolutely delighted.”

SIBA Chairman and brewer Guy Sheppard said: "The quality of entries and the diversity of flavours on offer seem to increase every single year and this competition was no different, with some absolutely fantastic beers taking home the overall Gold awards.

"To win their category and then go forward to take the overall top spots through several rounds of blind tastings is a feat the brewers should be extremely proud of and I would encourage any beer lovers in the area to come down and try them at the festival, or seek them out in their local pub, beer shop or bar.”