Elland 1872 Porter has today been crowned CAMRA’s Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2015 by a panel of judges at the National Winter Ales Festival in Derby, which begins today (February 11th) at the city’s Roundhouse venue.
The winning 6.5% abv beer is described in CAMRA’s 2015 Good Beer Guide as a “creamy, full-flavoured porter with rich liquorice flavours and a hint of chocolate from the roasted malt. A soft but satisfying after taste of bittersweet roast and malt.”
Mike Hiscock, Elland Brewery Manager, had this to say on the win:
“It’s absolutely fabulous to win the Champion Winter Beer of Britain, though we certainly weren’t expecting this, it is amazing to get the hat trick and win this award for the third time. We know it is independently judged so for it to keep coming out on top is testament to the depth of flavour and complexity that we get into the beer. This really is fantastic news.”
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. Elland 1872 porter will now go forward to compete in the overall Champion Beer of Britain competition at the Great British Beer Festival this August. Nik Antona, Champion Winter Beer of Britain Director had this to say on the importance of the competition:
“Elland 1872 is a fantastic example of what a traditional porter should taste like and has been hugely popular for many years, particularly it seems with competition judges, who have named it Champion Winter Beer of Britain twice and overall Champion Beer of Britain once in the last three years – a huge achievement.”
Drinkers at the National Winter Ales Festival will now be able to sample the winning brews, as well as a selection of more than 450 real ales, plus draught ciders, perries and mead.
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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
Brewery:
Elland Brewery Leeds – Mike Hiscock 01422 377677
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.
§ Attendance: Expected to be over 15,000
§ Beer: A record for a Derby beer festival – over 450 real ales on draught plus 40+ draught ciders perries, plus mead.
§ Over 100 Breweries are represented.
§ The Champion Winter Beer of Britain will be announced on the 17th 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.
National Champion Winter Beer of Britain Winners
Overall Champion
Elland – 1872 Porter
Silver
Purple Moose – Darkside of the Moose
Bronze
Dancing Duck – Dark Drake
Category Winners:
Barley Wine and Strong Old Ales
Gold:
Lees – Moonraker
Silver:
Orkney – Skullsplitter
Bronze:
Darwin – Extinction Ale
Old Ale/Strong Milds
Gold:
Purple Moose – Darkside of the Moose
Silver:
Ulverston – Fra diavolio
Bronze:
Castle Rock – Midnight Owl
Stout
Gold:
Dancing Duck – Dark Drake
Silver:
Plain Ales – Incognito
Bronze:
Highland – Sneeky Wee Orkney Stout
Porter
Gold:
Elland – 1872 Porter
Silver (joint):
Bath Ales – Festivities
Fuller’s – London Porter
Bronze: Blakemere – Deep Dark Secret