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 and Canned 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.
To be eligible for CBOB, cask-conditioned beers must conform to CAMRA's availability rules:
The ABV and style of cask conditioned beers must conform to a set of style guidelines:
If anything is missing or inaccurate, please let us know via the feedback form here.
Mild by Penzance Brewing Co. was crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2025 at the Great British Beer Festival in the NEC Birmingham.
Twelve amazing finalists were whittled down to the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners by an expert judging panel.
Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain Judging Coordinator described Mild as: “The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6% beer!”
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The winner was exclusively revealed at Kelham Hall Beer and Cider Festival trade session in Newark, following a rigorous and hard-fought final round of judging.
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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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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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More information about the award and previous winners can be found one the CAMRA website.