Dunham Porter at 5.2% ABV, brewed by Dunham Massey Brewery (Altrincham, Greater Manchester), has today been crowned CAMRA’s Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2014 by a panel of judges at the National Winter Ales Festival in Derby, which begins today (February 19th) at the city’s Roundhouse venue.
The winning beer is described as a classic old-style English porter; creamy, full-bodied and packed with flavour. It is the second year a porter has won the overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain.
Dunham Massey owner John Costello, had this to say on the win:
“We’re made up! We are a relatively new brewery who love making traditional styles like porters, milds and stouts, and I thought our porter would do well but I can’t believe we’ve won overall Champion – I’m over the moon. The CAMRA [Champion Winter Beer of Britain] awards mean everything to us. It’s the highest accolade a dark beer can earn.”
The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition judges the best of the best in terms of classic winter warmers – from thick, rich, dark porters and stouts, to sweet and strong Barley Wines.
A panel of beer writers, members of the licensed trade and CAMRA members judged the competition. Nik Antona, Champion Winter Beer of Britain Director had this to say on the importance of the competition:
“The Winter Beer of Britain competition has been given even greater significance in recent years, with the last two winners going on to win the Overall Champion Beer of Britain held at the Great British Beer Festival in the summer. Proving these once lesser-known styles are perfect for drinking all year round!“
Drinkers at the National Winter Ales Festival will now be able to sample the winning brews, as well as a selection of more than 400 beers, ciders and perries.
COPY ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information:
Press Manager Neil Walker will be contactable at the festival on 07939 425471 or alternatively contact the CAMRA Press Office on press@camra.org.uk
More CAMRA info: www.camra.org.uk and www.nwaf.org.uk
Dunham Massey Brewery: 0161 929 0663
For full list of category winners, see below.
Extra facts and figures
- Guinness World Records has declared The Roundhouse Derby is officially the world’s first and oldest surviving railway roundhouse being developed in 1839.
- 400+ beers and ciders will be available at the National Winter Ales Festival.
- Over 100 Breweries are represented.
- The Champion Winter Beer of Britain will be announced on the 19th of February at 3pm at the Festival.
- The mix of old and young, men and women is better than ever. Percentage of women trying real ale has grown from 14% to 34% in last three years.
- Real ale is a thriving marked sector as the percentage of adults trying Real ale has grown from 34% to 53% in last three years
- Derby well located in the East Midlands only 90 minutes from London and The Festival is across the road from the Pride Park exit of Derby Railway Station.
- Live Music each night.
- Brewery Bars showcasing their very best: Batemans Brewery; Derby Brewing Company; Dancing Duck Brewery; Leatherbritches Brewery.
- 10 beer styles are: Milds, Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Speciality Beers, Old Ales/Strong Milds, Porters, Stouts, Barley Wine and Strong Old Ales.
- Under 18’s who are well behaved and supervised are welcomed at the Festival until 19.00 each evening. All under 18s must leave the Festival by 19.00. This is a licensing requirement.
National Champion Winter Beer of Britain Winners
Overall Champion
Dunham Massey – Dunham Porter (Greater Manchester)
Silver
Cairngorm – Black Gold (Highlands, Scotland)
Bronze
Exe Valley – Winter Glow (Devon)
Category Winners:
Barley wine
Gold:
Kinver Brewery – Over the Edge (Staffordshire)
Silver:
Moor – Old Freddy Walker (Somerset)
Bronze (Joint):
Green Jack – Ripple Tripel (Suffolk)
Highland – Orkney Porter (Orkney)
Old Ale/Strong Milds
Gold:
Exe Valley – Winter Glow (Devon)
Silver:
Beowulf – Dark Raven (Staffordshire)
Bronze:
Grainstore – Rutland Beast (Rutland)
Stout
Gold:
Cairngorm – Black Gold (Highlands, Scotland)
Silver:
Ascot Ales – Anastasia’s Exile Stout (Surrey)
Bronze:
Marble – Stouter Stout (Greater Manchester)
Porter
Gold:
Dunham Massey – Dunham Porter (Greater Manchester)
Silver:
Ayr Brewery – Rabbie’s Porter (Ayrshire)
Bronze:
Bateman’s – Salem Porter (Lincolnshire)