After over a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, has announced that Tiny Rebel’s Cwtch has been crowned the Best Beer in Britain at the Great British Beer Festival, Olympia, London.
The Newport brewed real ale was named the Supreme Champion over a host of other finalists in ten different beer categories (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, the Speciality class and also the winter beer styles of Porter, Stouts, Barley Wines and Old Ales, and Strong Old Ales and Strong Milds), including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers.
The man who brewed Cwtch – which is pronounced ‘cutch’ and means cuddle in Welsh –Head Brewer Gareth Williams said what it meant to win:
“I feel like I’m dreaming! This is the ultimate award to win in our eyes and after winning at the Great Welsh a few years ago this feels even better. It’s just a crazy feeling and we’re massively proud.”
Co-founder of the brewery Bradley Cummings, added this on the beer itself:
“We were brought up on real ale and we love traditional styles, Cwtch is our modern version of a traditional bitter, with extra hopping for a more pronounced bitterness and aroma. It’s new world and old world all in one.”
This year’s Silver went to Kelburn, Jaguar (Renfrewshire) whilst the Bronze award went to Dancing Duck, Dark Drake (Derby).
All three of the beers are available at the Great British Beer Festival this week.
Overall winners
- Gold – Tiny Rebel, Cwtch
- Silver – Kelburn, Jaguar
- Bronze – Dancing Duck, Dark Drake
Mild
- Gold – Williams Bros, Black
- Silver – Rudgate, Ruby Mild
- Bronze – Great Orme, Welsh Black
Bitter
- Gold – Pheasantry, Best Bitter
- Silver – Acorn, Barnsley Bitter
- Joint Bronze – Purple Moose, Madog’s Ale & Timothy Taylor, Boltmaker
Best Bitter
- Gold – Tiny Rebel, Cwtch
- Silver – Highland, Scapa Special
- Joint Bronze – Barngates, Tag Lag & Salopian, Darwin’s Origin
Golden Ale
- Gold – Kelburn, Jaguar
- Silver – Adnams, Explorer
- Bronze – Blue Monkey, Infinity
Strong Bitter
- Gold – Dark Star, Revelation
- Silver – Salopian, Golden Thread
- Bronze – Grain, India Pale Ale
Speciality Beer
- Gold – Titanic, Plum Porter
- Joint Silver – Kissingate, Black Cherry Mild & Saltaire, Triple Chocolate
- Bronze – Hanlons, Port Stout
Champion Winter Beer of Britain (from category winners announced in January 2015)
- Porter – Elland Brewery
- Stout – Dancing Duck, Dark Drake
- Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales – Lees, Moonraker
- Old Ales and Strong Milds – Purple Moose
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winners
(Sponsored by Beer Hawk)
- Gold – Harveys, Imperial Extra Double Stout
- Silver – Fyne Ales, Superior India Pale Ale
- Bronze – Mordue, India Pale Ale
For more information click here