In 2011 BrewUk, Nicholson’s and Thornbridge Brewery launched the inaugural Great British Home Brew Challenge. Over 100 entries covering a range of beer styles were submitted. The competition proved a great success and a brilliant showcase of the emerging talent in the British home-brewing scene. Paul Carruthers’ ‘Frank as Apollo’, a 4.6% Premium Bitter, emerged as the winner and was then brewed at Thornbridge and enjoyed across Nicholson’s pubs.
In light of last year’s reception to the competition we are delighted to announce the launch, on the 23rd October, of The Great British Home Brew Challenge 2012. This year the winner will again get the opportunity to have their beer recognised and enjoyed nationwide. See www.gbhomebrew.co.uk (from 23/10/2012) for entry details.
Rob Lovatt, Thornbridge’s Head Brewer, explains “It was great to see all of the entries last year flying in; I developed my own passion for making beer through home-brewing in my parent’s garage. Hopefully this competition can help to inspire some of the next generation of new and innovative brewers coming through in the UK’s expanding craft beer scene”.
Ben Lockwood of Nicholson’s says “The UK has a great tradition of home brewing and last year’s challenge shows that this trend is still strong today, it also allowed our winner to have their beer professionally produced and then served in 80 cask ale British pubs. Paul was a deserved winner last year and his beer proved very popular with our guests. This should once again be a very interesting competition and whilst serious hopefully great fun for all involved”.
Upon winning last year Paul Carruthers outlined his feelings on winning “I’m well aware of the high standard of homebrewed beer and so I was completely overwhelmed. To have one of my recipes brewed was an absolute dream come true”
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Notes to Editors:
Brew UK supply high quality specialist wine, cider and beer homebrew kits nationwide. They aim to get a nation brewing and offer a range of options to help people get started right in their own homes; from hops and malts to cleaning products to bottling products to ensure that the brewer and their friends get to enjoy the fruits of their labours.
Nicholson’s are a collection of heritage pubs founded in 1873 that are waiting to be discovered. Offering timeless British hospitality at its best, they pride themselves on an unrivalled cask ale range, fantastic food offer and a fine wine selection.
The first Thornbridge craft beers were produced in February 2005 in a 10 barrel brewery, housed in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall, Derbyshire. Based on the innovation, passion and knowledge of their brewers Thornbridge aims to produce high quality beers using the best natural ingredients. Their range of cask, keg and bottled beers has gained considerable success with over 250 consumer and industry awards being won. In September 2009 they opened a new state of the art 30 barrel brewery in Bakewell.
Alex Buchanan
Marketing Manager
Thornbridge
Riverside Brewery, Buxton Road, Bakewell DE45 1GS
Mob: 07900 416 812
Office: 01629 64 1000
Innovation . Passion . Knowledg