Champion Beer of Britain
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Champion Beer of Britain
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About the award
The Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It is the ultimate honour for UK brewers and has helped put many into the national spotlight. It is awarded every year at the trade session of the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF).
The competition starts with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panel nominations, then area competitions.
At the GBBF, the Champion Beer of Britain judging spans real ales across the categories for Milds, Session Bitters, Premium Bitters, IPAs, Session Pale/Blond/Golden Ales and Premium Pale/Blond/Golden Ales. These are combined with the Champion Winter Beer of Britain category winners from the Great British Beer Festival Winter (held in February) – Session Stouts/Porters, Strong Stouts/Porters, Brown Ales/Red Ales/Old Ales/Strong Milds, Barley Wines/Strong Ales, Speciality Beers (Differently Produced) and Speciality Beers (Flavoured)– to create a shortlist for the final round of judging.
There is also a competition for the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain with two categories - ABV 4.3% or below and ABV 4.4% or above.
CAMRA members can vote now for their favourite beers.
If you are not a CAMRA member and would like to get involved, please visit our join online page to find out more.
Eligible beers
To be eligible:
- Cask-conditioned Session Bitters, Premium Bitters, Session Pale/Blond/Golden Ales and Premium Pale/Blond/Golden Ales must be available for 7 or more months of the year.
- Cask-conditioned Milds, Speciality Beers, Session Stouts/Porters and Strong Stouts/Porters must be available for 3 or more months of the year.
- There is no availability restriction for British and New World IPAs, Brown Ales/Red Ales/Old Ales/Strong Milds or Barley Wines/Strong Ales.
- All bottle-conditioned beers are eligible for inclusion in the CBBoB competition.
The ABV and style of cask conditioned beers must conform to a set of style guidelines:
- Milds: 4.0% or below
- Session Bitters and Session Pale/Blond/Golden Ales: 4.3% or below
- Premium Bitters and Premium Pale/Blond/Golden Ales: 4.4% to 6.4%
- British and New World IPAs: 5.5% or above.
- Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales: 6.4% or below
- Strong Milds: 4.1% to 6.4%.
- Session Stouts and Porters: 4.9% or below
- Strong Stouts and Porters: 5.0% or above.
- Speciality Beers: any ABV but the ABV must be defined.
- Barley Wines and Strong Ales: 6.5% or above.
If anything is missing or inaccurate, please let us know via the feedback form here.
Previous Winners
2023
Elland Brewery 1872 Porter
The Champion Beer of Britain 2023 winner was Elland’s 1872 Porter (6.5% ABV).
Described as a ruby black porter, with chocolate and caramelised fruit flavours with a hint of black toffee on the nose. The judges enjoyed its smooth mouthfeel with a finish that is roasty and dry. A satisfying and remarkably easy drinking porter.
Brewer Rob Thomas said: “It is absolutely unbelievable to win this accolade, we really didn’t expect it. For a team of three people to win the supreme award is fantastic. There is a real passion for more traditional styles – and for a very good reason, they taste fantastic!"
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2019
Surrey Hills ‘Shere Drop’
A brewery located in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has come out top in a competition to name the best beer in Britain, according to CAMRA.
‘Shere Drop’ is a former winner in two different categories and took home bronze in 2010. Described as pale in colour with a subtle hint of grapefruit and lemon in the aroma, the wonderful hop bitterness is complemented by a balanced malt flavour.
Ross Hunter, director of Surrey Hills Brewery, said: “I am absolutely elated. We have reached the final a number of times, which is most important as it means we are consistently producing quality beers - which is our top goal! To win the gold overall is a fantastic achievement. I am just speechless!”
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2018
Siren Craft Brew’s Broken Dream Breakfast Stout
2018 Champion Beer of Britain winner is Siren Craft Brew’s Broken Dream Breakfast Stout (6.5% ABV) thanks to its deep and complex blend of chocolate, coffee and a touch of smoke. The judges commented that it stood out for its aroma, taste and finish, all of which were superb.
Named after the Sirens of Greek mythology, Siren Craft Brew captivated judges for the second time this year, having taken home silver in this year’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition.
Silver went to Suffolk-based Green Jack’s Ripper (8.5% ABV), a strong barley wine that is both dangerously smooth and yet well-hopped, and winner of CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition earlier this year.
Bronze was taken by Tyne & Wear-based Mordue for their Workie Ticket (4.5% ABV). A complex and tasty bitter, this brew boasts plenty of malt and hops and a long, satisfying, bitter finish.
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