Gloucestershire mild from Cotswold Spring Brewery wins SIBA Supreme Champion Beer 2011
A mild from Gloucestershire-based Cotswold Spring Brewery has won the title of SIBA Supreme Champion Beer 2011.
The 3.9%abv beer, called Old Sodbury, was named alongside other National Beer Competition winners at the end of SIBA's national conference in Stratford-upon-Avon last week.
Meanwhile, London-based Kernel Brewery's Export Stout London 1890 picked up a Supreme Champion title in the bottled-beer category, and Noah Beers' Hefe-Weizen collected one for SIBA's Craft Beer in Keg competition.
The cask winners were selected last month at the Canalhouse in Nottingham from 56 finalists, who had progressed through regional competitions. Top bottles from each of the seven SIBA regions also competed for the Champion Bottled Beer title, while the Craft Beer in Keg competition saw 50 beers compete in eight categories.
Nik Milo, head brewer at Cotswold Spring Brewer, said: "It's a real thrill to win the top prize. Old Sodbury, which we've been brewing since 2007, has a more complex flavour than most milds, thanks to the selection of at least seven grains used in its production.
"Winning this award means that Old Sodbury, currently a seasonal ale, will become one of our regular beers, and we will undoubtedly need to expand our brewing capacity to meet the increase in demand."
Julian Grocock, SIBA chief executive, said: "The success of the competition reflects that of the local brewing sector. Brews from SIBA members offer the quality, taste, individuality and provenance that consumers are looking for in increasing numbers. It's not surprising that our awards are keenly desired by the dynamic and innovative craft brewers who make up the SIBA membership."
The winners were:
CASK BEERS
Supreme Champion Beer 2011 Old Sodbury Mild, Cotswold Spring Brewery, Gloucestershire
Champion Milds (up to 4% abv) Old Sodbury Mild, Cotswold Spring Brewery, Gloucestershire
Champion Bitters & Pale Ales (up to 4% abv) The Hoard, The Backyard Brewhouse, West Midlands
Champion Best Bitters (4.1-4.5% abv) Admiral, Bowland Brewing Company, Lancashire
Champion Premium Bitters (4.6-4.9% abv) True Grit, Millstone Brewery, Derbyshire
Champion Strong Bitters (5.1 - 5.5% abv) Monkey Wrench, Daleside Brewery, north Yorkshire
Champion Strong Ales (over 5.6% abv) Mad Monk, All Gates Brewery, Lancashire
Champion Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts 1872 Porter, Elland Brewery, West Yorkshire
Champion Speciality Beers Blueberry Classic Bitter, Coach House Brewing Company, Cheshire
BOTTLED BEERS
Champion Bottled Beer Export Stout (London 1890), Kernel Brewery, London
Craft Beers in Keg
Supreme Champion Hefe-Weizen, Noah Beers, Glasgow
Champion Bitters, Pale and Golden Ales Banks's Bitter, Marston's Beer Company, West Midlands
Champion Premium Bitters, Pale and Golden Ales 5am Saint, Brewdog, Glasgow
Champion Strong Bitters and IPAs Jaipur IPA, Thornbridge Brewery, Derbyshire
Champion Dark Ales, Stouts and Porters Fuller's London Porter, Fuller Smith & Turner, London
Champion Pale and Golden Lagers Freedom Four, Freedom Brewery, West Midlands
Champion Premium Pale and Golden Lagers Schiehallion, Harviestoun Brewery, Clackmannanshire
Champion Coloured and Dark Lagers Freedom Organic Dark Lager, Freedom Brewery, West Midlands
Champion Speciality Beers Hefe-Weizen, Noah Beers, Glasgow
Pictured: Mike Dickinson of sponsors Russell Scanlan presents the trophy to Nik Milo of Cotswold Spring Brewery, winners of this year's SIBA Supreme Champion Beer Award
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By Neil Gerrard
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