Office worker, Graham Nelson, will today see the beer he originally crafted in his kitchen, go on sale in Waitrose. Graham, 39, who first tried making beer only a year ago, has won a competition which searched to find the best home brew.
The Great British Home Brew Challenge, organised by Derbyshire’s Thornbridge Brewery and Waitrose along with Brew UK, launched in June 2014. Its quest was to find the best pint made by the growing number of home brewers making beer in their kitchens, garages and sheds around the nation.
After receiving over 200 entries, a panel of top drinks experts gathered in August to judge the wide range of beers received, naming Graham’s Vienna IPA their top tipple.
Since winning the competition, Nelson, a father from Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, has worked with Thornbridge to brew and bottle his recipe, ready for launch.
Graham says “Since learning that I’d won it’s been a fantastic experience to be involved in helping Thornbridge’s brewers scale-up my recipe and make the beer. I only make forty bottles when home brewing so to see ten thousand bottles packaged and ready to be sent out was quite humbling!”
Rob Lovatt, Head Brewer at Thornbridge said, “I knew Graham’s beer was going to be in the running for best homebrew the moment I tasted it. It was solid, well-balanced, clean and had a modern hop profile which really stood out. We have closely followed Graham’s recipe to keep true to the batch he first made at home.”
Waitrose has seen a rise in demand for real ales and craft beers with sales up 10%. Waitrose Beer Buyer, Kate Prall said, “We think Graham’s beer will be a hit with ale fans. Its crisp, well-rounded flavour will be the perfect accompaniment to a warming curry this autumn.”
The Home Brew Challenge Vienna IPA will be available in 70 Waitrose shops nationwide, including in Graham’s home county of Cheshire, for £2.50, 500ml.
Notes to Editors
Thornbridge won four Great Taste Awards in 2014.
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 ingredients. Their range of cask, keg and bottled beers has gained considerable success with over 350 consumer and industry awards being won.
Tasting note for Home Brew Competition Winner, Vienna IPA 500ml £2.50:
Brewed with Vienna and biscuit malts, this is a well-rounded, full bodied IPA. 5.9% ABV.
Alex Buchanan
Marketing Manager
Mob: 07900 416 812
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