Champion Winter Beer of Britain to be revealed at Liverpool Beer Festival

Champion contenders are among the 200 beers on offer to festivalgoers in Cathedral Crypt 

From Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 February, a unique Liverpool beer festival returns, hosting the winter stage of the UK’s biggest beer competition, CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain, in the Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt designed by world-renowned architect Edward Lutyens. 

CAMRA members who book ahead can get free entry, with entry prices for non-members from just £4 depending on the session.

This year Liverpool Beer Festival will host the Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition so, amongst the 200 cask beers and real ciders on offer, festival visitors will also have a chance to try some of the very best cask beers that the UK have to offer, with 50 shortlisted beers also available at the festival.

Judging for the Champion Winter Beer of Britain takes over a year to complete, starting with local blind-tasting panels and regional heats, with the final round of judging taking place at the festival. The category winners from the winter competition will be entered into the overall Champion Beer of Britain competition later this year.

With both the competition and festival beers on offer, the festival will showcase a formidable range of cask beers for customers. There will be session and strong porters and stouts, brown, red and black ales, old ales, strong milds and ‘speciality’ beers, covering anything from lagers, rye beers, wheat beers, and beers brewed with different yeasts such as Kviek to flavoured beers (think plums, coffee, ginger and honey) – a cornucopia of tastes.

Starting in 1974, Liverpool Beer Festival is one of CAMRA’s longest running festivals and is just 10 minutes’ walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station.

There is no entrance charge for CAMRA members (non-members from £4 depending on the session) but you will need to buy a ticket that includes £10 worth of (refundable) beer tokens, a programme and a glass. Don’t leave it too long as tickets sell out fast. 

For more information go to: liverpoolbeerfestival.org.uk 

Ends

Notes to editors 

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain will be announced on Thursday 19 February. There will be a bar offering the competition beers for festivalgoers while stocks last. 

CAMRA’s overall Champion Beer of Britain is announced in the summer months following a final round of judging. 

The festival will be open to the public over the following five separately ticketed sessions:

• Thursday 19 February (6:00pm until 10:00pm).

• Friday 20 February (Midday until 4:00pm).

• Friday 20 February (6:00pm until 10:00pm).

• Saturday 21 February (Midday until 4:00pm).

• Saturday 21 February (6:00pm until 10:00pm) – includes entertainment (act to be announced).

Wheelchair access is available through the usual entrance but we ask you contact us by email to access@liverpoolbeerfestival.org.uk ahead of the festival so we can ensure the checking in process for you is as quick and smooth as possible.

Every ticket includes:

• An admission charge which varies depending on the session and ticket type. CAMRA Member tickets have no admission charge but are limited to one per member per session and require the applying member to log on before they can be purchased.

• £2 for a glass (non-refundable).

• £2 for a programme (non-refundable).

• £10 sheet of vouchers (refundable in person at the session for which they’re issued).

*No ticket refunds will be given so please only buy what you can use. No under 18s will be admitted. If you are lucky enough to look under the age of 25 then please come with proof of age as you may be asked to produce it at the door. Sorry but no children or babies will be admitted due to health and safety assessments.    

About CAMRA:

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is a not-for-profit consumer group with over 147,000 members that has been operating since 1971. Our vision is to have quality cask beer and thriving pubs in every community.  

Media Contact:  

CAMRA Press Office:  

press@camra.org.uk  

01727 337863

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