Hertfordshire-based Tring Brewery was named the best bottled or canned at the awards, which were held in Liverpool at SIBA’s BeerX event last night (15 March).
The Champion Cask beer was Sirius Dog Star from Wolf and was described as being a “uniquely flavoured red ale. Lightly hopped with American Galena and Cluster hops, a smooth beer with a soft, fruity finish”.
Transmission from Leeds-based North Brewing Co took home the top gong in the Craft Keg competition and the brew was hailed as “hugely drinkable with a light body and dry finish”.
In the bottle and can category (known as ‘Small Pack’), it was Death or Glory from Tring Brewery – a “rich, sweet barley wine with a heady, alcoholic nose and incredibly complex flavour profile”.
Making great beer
North Brewing Co director John Gyngell said: “This award means so much to the whole team, who have been hustling hard and constantly growing the business and making great beer.
“This beer started life as a trial brew before our brewer Seb Brink even joined us full time. He’s still constantly improving it and, now with this beer, we think we have nailed that combination of drinkability and a modern, full flavour.”
Georgina Edwards from Wolf Brewery outlined the hard work that goes into the brews and how important the win was.
She said: “A lot of blood sweat and tears go into that beer so it means a huge amount to win.
“It means the world to the family. We were aiming for a smooth, dark, session beer that is accessible but with a huge flavour – something, I think, we achieved.”
Tough competiton
Sam Reed from Tring Brewery said: “One of our original founders was a royal lancer and this beer is his creation. It has proved so popular, we have been brewing it ever since!
“It is a great barley wine and it is nice to know that we are doing the right things after all these years of brewing it.”
SIBA chairman and Brecon Brewing brewer Buster Grant congratulated the winners on their achievement.
He said: “Making it to the finals is an achievement in itself, winning your style category is something to be even more proud of, and then going on to be named the Overall Champion Gold against such tough competition really is something truly special.
"These are the three best beers from independent craft brewers across cask, keg, bottle and can – beers that I would encourage both beer drinkers and publicans across the UK to seek out while they still can because demand for these beers is surely about to go through the roof!”
The full winners list:
Overall Cask Champions (sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals)
Cask Champion Standard Mild Ales & Brown Ales (sponsored by Murphy & Sons)
Cask Champion Standard Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery)
Cask Champion Best Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Napthens)
Premium Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Thomas Fawcett & Sons)
Cask Champion Strong Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Charles Faram & Co)
Cask Champion Premium Strong Beers (sponsored by Crisp Malting Group)
Cask Champion Porters, Stouts, Old Ales, Strong Milds & Strong Brown Ales (sponsored by SPAsoft)
Cask Champion Speciality Light Beers (sponsored by Ranking Brothers & Sons)
Cask Champion Speciality Mid to Dark Beers (sponsored by Pentair Food & Beverage Solutions
Champion Small Pack Beers (sponsored by Croxsons)
Small Pack Champion Standard Mild Ales & Brown Ales
Small Pack Champion Standard Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Norriq)
Small Pack Champion Premium Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Vigo)
Small Pack Champion Strong Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Russell Scanlan)
Small Pack Champion Premium Strong Beers (sponsored by Beatson Clark)
Small Pack Champion Standard Lager & Pilsners (sponsored by Vale Labels)
Small Pack Champion Premium Lager & Pilsners (sponsored by Saxon Packaging)
Small Pack Champion Porters, Stouts, Old Ales, Strong Milds & Strong Brown Ales (sponsored by Zoedale)
Small Pack Champion Speciality Light Beers (sponsored by Anton Paar)
Small Pack Champion Speciality Mid to Dark Beers (sponsored by Cask Brewing Systems)
Champion Keg Beers (sponsored by Kegstar)
Keg Champion Standard Mild Ales & Brown Ales (sponsored Keg Logistics UK)
Keg Champion Standard Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Premier Systems)
Keg Champion Premium Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals)
Keg Champion Strong Bitters & Pale Ales (sponsored by Muntons)
Keg Champion Premium Strong Beers (sponsored by Brewers Select)
Keg Champion Standard Lager & Pilsners (sponsored by Kegstar)
Keg Champion Premium Lager & Pilsners (sponsored by Festival Glass)
Keg Champion Porters, Stouts, Old Ales, Strong Milds & Strong Brown Ales (sponsored by Schafer Container Systems)
Keg Champion Speciality Light Beers (sponsored by Brewfitt)
Keg Champion Speciality Mid to Dark Beers (sponsored by Rastal GmbH & Co)