Brewers Gold has been judged the Campaign For Real Ale’s Champion Beer (CAMRA) of Britain 2005.

Produced by Crouch Vale of Essex, the beer beat 50 finalists in eight categories to take the converted title at the Great British Beer Festival, taking place this week at London’s Olympia.

In CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, the gold beer is described as having a, “striking grapefruit nose that leads to a beer of generally citrus hoppy character, underpinned by a perfumed sweetness and an aftertaste of orange wine gums”.

Brewers Gold’s success comes as CAMRA research found the popularity of Golden beers is rocketing in Britain with nearly half of those surveyed (48%) in a recent poll preferring them to darker ales.

Gold beers are finding particular favour with female and younger drinkers.

Judge and editor of the Good Beer Guide Roger Protz said: “It is great to see a golden ale win this award. It’s a wonderfully refreshing beer – the ideal antidote to lager!”

Second place went to Grainstore Rutland Panther and third to Woodforde’s Wherry.

Other category winners
Mild: Grainstore Rutland Panther
Bitter: Woodforde’s Wherry
Best Bitter: Harveys Sussex Bitter
Golden Ales: Crouch Vale Brewers Gold
Strong Ale: Hanby Nutcracker
Real Ale in a bottle: Durham Evensong
Speciality Category: Cairngorm Tradewinds

Golden beers rise in popularity >>