When it comes to quality beer made in the UK, there bazillions of different options. From chocolatey stouts, to crisp lagers and fruity IPAs, brewers in Britain do it all. But how do we separate the wheat from the chaff (literally)?
Every year the London Beer Competition seeks to crown the beer of the year in nations across the world. Now the 2025 results are in, and Britain’s best brew has been revealed.
This year’s batch of brewskis was judged by a crack team of some of the most influential beer buyers, bar owners, and industry experts from around the world. The judging took place in London, where hundreds of beers from more than 20 countries were blind-tasted, assessed, and scored.
Step aside Guinness, because it was a stout that scooped up the top prize for the UK at the annual competition. Edinburgh-based brewery Cold Town Beer was named British ‘Beer of the Year’ for its flagship Barrel Aged Imperial Stout – Speyside Cask Matured.
Cold Town’s stout also picked up a gold medal, scoring 96 out of 100 points in the judging process. According to the Beer Competition, Barrel Aged Imperial Stout has warm notes of apple, coffee and oak.
Ian Kennedy, head of production for Cold Town Beer, said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled. We’ve spent the last seven years building a range we’re truly proud of, and it’s incredibly exciting to see Cold Town getting national recognition. This beer is something special. It’s a celebration of everything we’ve been working toward, and a real moment for our team to put Cold Town firmly on the map.’
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