These days British pub-goers are overwhelmed with choice. Besides the well-known classics, many boozers have a rotating cornucopia of craft ales, lagers, stouts, pilsners and sours. Just skimming over the options on tap is enough to make your head spin.
A bit of guidance around which ones are actually any good is always handy. And who better to lend a helping hand than the Great British Beer Festival? After a four-year hiatus, last week the festival announced the winners of the prestigious Champion Beer of Britain Competition.
Claiming first place was the 1872 Porter by Elland Brewery, an independent microbrewery from West Yorkshire. The company describes its winning recipe, which is 6.5 percent ABV, as ‘a rich, complex, dark ruby porter from an 1872 recipe. It has an old port nose, coffee and bitter chocolate flavours from four malts including finest Maris Otter and English hops.’
Greene King’s Abbot Ale was awarded silver and Darwin’s Origin by Shrewsbury-based Salopian Brewery came third. The former is known for its rich malty character while the latter has a ‘distinctive lemony aroma and dry finish’.
Judging of the very best beers takes time – an entire year, to be exact. It starts with nominations coming in from members of the Campaign for Real Ale and local and regional competitions. The noms are then narrowed down over 12 months before a panel of expert judges decide on a champion. In other words, you can rest assured that this was a decision taken very, very seriously.
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