CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has announced that the Kelburn Brewing Company’s (of Barrhead, East Renfrewshire) Dark Moor has been awarded the title of ‘Champion Beer of Scotland’ for 2014 at the Scottish Real Ale Festival, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, New Market Road, Edinburgh. The Festival runs from today until Sunday (July 13th).
Dark Moor, a 4.5% ABV Old Ale, is described in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide as ‘A dark, fruity ale with undertones of liquorice and blackcurrant.’ Dark Moor also achieved success competing in CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2013, taking Gold in the Old Ale/Strong Mild class and Bronze in the competition overall. A Kelburn beer previously received the Champion Beer of Scotland title in 2006, when Cart Blanche took top honours.
Runner up in this year’s competition was the Ayr Brewing Company’s Rabbie’s Porter, while third place went to the Fyne Ales’ Jarl.
An ecstatic Derek Moor, head of the family-run Kelburn Brewing Company, said:
‘We are delighted to win the Champion Beer of Scotland for the second time. The growing number of excellent brewers in Scotland makes this award a testament to the hard work of everyone at Kelburn.’
Owen Bell, Festival Organiser, elaborated on what made the Dark Moor a winner:
‘The judges all agreed that it is a very tasty beer, more than holding its own against hoppy Golden Ales, and has a strong Scottish character. The full, biscuity malt is expertly balanced with a delicate hop flavour.’
For more information on the Scottish Real Ale Festival click here
For more information about Kelburn Brewery click here