The winner was exclusively revealed at Kelham Hall Beer and Cider Festival trade session in Newark, following a rigorous and hard-fought final round of judging. The long-standing CAMRA award is one of the most coveted and well-respected cask beer competitions in the world. Usually judging takes place at the annual Greet British Beer Festival, but that was cancelled this year due to issues with the regular venue Olympia in London. Next year, the festival moves to two halls of the NEC in Birmingham.<\/p>\n\n
Champion Beer of Britain judging panel organiser Christine Cryne described the beer as having “a tangy aroma with a faint note of biscuit. The flavour is full of tropical and citrus notes on a sweet biscuit base. Dry sweetish bitter finish. A full flavoured beer.” She added that it was a “commendable winner, worthy of the respected title despite exceptionally strong competition.”<\/p>\n\n
Judging for the competition takes two years to complete, starting with\u202findividual nominations from CAMRA members and\u202ftasting\u202fpanel nominations, then regional competitions. Each round of judging\u202fuses a strict blind tasting\u202fpolicy.<\/p>\n\n
Crouch Vale directors, Colin and Fiona Bocking said: “We are delighted. We have been doing this for half of our lives. We won in 2005, and we won in 2006, and there has been a 19-year hiatus. Hopefully, this will demonstrate to people that we are still around, and we are still making great beer. This is a beer that has been brewed for 30 years, at the time, when a lot of these very exciting American hops were coming on the market, we decided to use Amarillo hops from Washington State in the USA, and we are still using them today.”<\/p>\n\n
Silver prize winner was The IPA (6% ABV) from Anspach & Hobday, which judges described as "A wonderful fruity new world IPA. Aromas of citrus and tropical that are also on the palette where the developing bitterness is perfectly balanced by the bitterness leading to a dry, spicy finish. Morish for a six per cent beer."<\/p>\n\n
Bronze winner Trawlerboys Best Bitter (4.6% ABV) from Green Jack Brewery, was described by judges as being an “Attractive orangey brown beer with a honey biscuit nose. Sweet orange marmalade with nutty notes and slight hint of chocolate. Finish is fruity and sweet, becoming bitter and dry. Complex and very drinkable.”<\/p>\n\n
Laura Emson, CAMRA’s Awards Director, said: "I would like to congratulate Crouch Vale for winning the 2024 Champion Beer of Britain award with their incredible golden ale, Amarillo. After many years of CAMRA holding this competition, The Champion Beer of Britain final is still one of the most exciting days for us as well as for all the brewers involved. Only two points separated first and second place. We’re hugely grateful to Kelham Hall Beer and Cider Festival for hosting this year’s judging and announcement, it’s a fantastic setting to celebrate fantastic beer.<\/p>\n\n
"These awards cannot happen without the incredible work of volunteers that give up their time to see a worthy winner crowned. This process begins with CAMRA members nominating their favourite tipples and ends with a decision from a highly experienced and professional judging panel. Crouch Vale should be incredibly proud of this accolade, and I hope that beer lovers across the UK will seek out and try Amarillo out for themselves.”<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Penzance Brewing Co, Mild<\/p>\n\n
Silver – Brains, Dark<\/p>\n\n
Bronze –\u202fFive Kingdoms Brewery, McGregor’s Mild<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Logan Beck Brewing, Proper Bitter<\/p>\n\n
Silver – Mighty Oak Brewing Co, Captain Bob<\/p>\n\n
Bronze – Windsor & Eton Brewery, Guardsman<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Green Jack Brewery, Trawlerboys Best Bitter<\/p>\n\n
Silver – Sharp’s Brewery, Sea Fury<\/p>\n\n
Bronze – Cairngorm Brewery, Wildcat<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Anspach & Hobday, The IPA<\/p>\n\n
Silver – Byatt’s Brewery, Mahana IPA<\/p>\n\n
Bronze – Bragdy Twt Lol, Dreigiau’r Diafol \/ Diablo Dragons<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Loch Lomond Brewery, Southern Summit<\/p>\n\n
Silver – Oakham Ales, Citra<\/p>\n\n
Bronze – Bewdley Brewery, Sunshine<\/p>\n\n
Gold – Crouch Vale Brewery, Amarillo<\/p>\n\n
Silver – St Austell Brewery, Proper Job<\/p>\n\n
Bronze – Swannay Brewery, Orkney IPA<\/p>\n\n
Stouts and Porters, Session: Lancaster Brewery, Lancaster Black<\/p>\n\n
Stouts and Porters, Strong: Green Jack Brewery, Baltic Trader Export Stout<\/p>\n\n
Speciality, Flavoured: Purple Moose Brewery, Elderflower Ale (Cwrw Ysagwen)<\/p>\n\n
Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales: Sarah Hughes Brewery, Snowflake<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/425\/671b77248aa6a.jpg","author":{"name":"David King"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/3807\/blogs\/posts\/77566"},{"id":"o425-1189-668e5502117fc","url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/blogs\/foodblog\/post\/carlsberg-take-over-all-marstons-brewing-operations\/","title":"Carlsberg take over all Marston's brewing operations","date_published":"2024-10-08T09:30:00+00:00","summary":"Updated: Banks's brewery closure.","content_html":"
Published 7th July 2024
\nUpdated 7th October 2024<\/p>\n\n
It comes as no surprise that Marston’s has announced this week that it has sold its remaining stake in the Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company. It will now operate just as a pub chain, leaving Carlsberg as the largest cask ale brewer in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n\n
Now, I've been a member of the Wolverhampton branch of Campaign for Real Ale since 1988, and all the time that I've been aware of Banks's, they often seemed to put themselves in financially dangerous situations. Buying a successful brewery with a good range of beers, which is feeding its established pubs, is something that Wolverhampton and Dudley did a lot; sometimes stretching their own finances which were propped up by pub sales, selling brewery land, and taking out bank loans.<\/p>\n\n
Banks’s Brewery itself was established in Wolverhampton in 1875, with Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries Limited being registered in May 1890, to amalgamate Banks’s, C.C. Smith also based in Wolverhampton, and George Thompson and Sons based in Dudley. Since then, the company has absorbed over a dozen breweries including Hansons in Dudley in 1943, whose brewery they then closed in 1992 and Marston's in 1999. <\/p>\n\n
Wolverhampton & Dudley continued to stretch their finances by making further takeovers including Jennings in 2005, Ringwood in 2007, and Wychwood (the brewers of Hobgoblin) in 2008 and more. They fended off several takeover bids themselves. The company changed its name to Marston’s in 2007, which sadly saw many Banks’s pubs in Wolverhampton being rebranded.<\/p>\n\n
Since the Brexit vote, the drop in the value of the pound has seen several foreign takeovers, including large London brewer Fullers, which was taken over by Japanese brewer Asahi.<\/p>\n\n
The pandemic closed pubs for months, leaving brewers with increasing debts and little income. Without the restrictions on energy prices that domestic users saw, many breweries closed and others were unable to repay loans. Marston's sold 60% of its brewing operation to Carlsberg, forming the Carlsberg Marston Brewing Company in 2020, based in Wolverhampton.<\/p>\n\n
In 2021, Marston's had debts of over £1,200 million, which had reduced only to £1,100 million by December 2023. This week, Chief Executive Officer Justin Platt said that selling the remainder of the brewing operation now frees the company to focus entirely on its pub operating, and reduces their debt by £20 million.<\/p>\n\n
CMBC will continue to brew beer for the Marston's pubs. Carlsberg has also agreed this week to pay £3.3 billion to take over the Britvic company. Carlsberg now owns three large brewery sites: their original site in Northampton, Marston’s Brewery in Burton-upon-Trent, and Banks's brewery in Wolverhampton. Time will tell if any of the sites will merge, but for now, let's hope the smell of hops continues to drift across Chapel Ash here in Wolverhampton.<\/p>\n\n
Carlsberg Marston's has announced its intention to close the brewery. Their press release reads:
\n <\/p>\n\n
\nCarlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) has announced its proposal to close Banks’s Brewery in Wolverhampton in Autumn 2025, as part of a restructuring of its brewery network.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nThe proposed restructuring comes in response to the decision by Mahou San Miguel not to renew its long-term exclusive licence partnership from 2025 and the decline of cask ale volumes over several years. CMBC will be supporting colleagues across its wider network impacted by these proposals, including the 97 employed at Banks’s Brewery, and will be working with trade union and colleague representatives throughout the consultation process.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nAs part of the network restructuring, CMBC will increase investment in its breweries in Northampton and Burton, with a long-term ambition to establish Marston’s Brewery in Burton as a national centre for craft beer and traditional ale brewing in the UK. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nCMBC will be investing more than £6m in significant new projects at its brewery in Burton, including the refurbishment of its cask ale line to brew traditional British ales, as well developing the brewery’s capabilities for brewing innovative, contemporary craft ales.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nIn addition, as part of CMBC’s long-term logistics strategy, the business will be investing significantly in a new logistics depot in the Black Country region, to support its nationwide secondary logistics network.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\nPaul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision, however it has been necessary to restructure our business to maintain our competitiveness in a challenging UK beer market.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n“The hard reality is that, because of the current climate for ale and Mahou San Miguel’s decision not to renew its exclusive production and distribution agreement with CMBC from the start of next year, we will have significant excess capacity across our brewery network which we have to address. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n"The team at Banks’s has been unwavering in its dedication and commitment to the brewery. We will ensure that we support all our people closely throughout this extremely challenging period.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n“While the proposed closure of our Wolverhampton brewery is very regrettable, with the significant investments we are making in our Northampton and Burton breweries, our strong portfolio of brands and industry-leading logistics network, CMBC will continue to deliver for our customers and focus on long-term growth.” <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
References:
\nhttp:\/\/breweryhistory.com\/wiki\/index.php?title=Wolverhampton_%26_Dudley:_Acquisition_History<\/a><\/p>\n\nMarston's Press Release announcing the full sale of its brewing operation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
Marston's press release quoted above, announcing the closure of Banks's Brewery<\/a>.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/425\/668e539eb7a86.jpg","author":{"name":"David King"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/3807\/blogs\/posts\/75851"},{"id":"o425-1189-65febefee8823","url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/blogs\/foodblog\/post\/wolverhampton-camra-pub-awards-2024\/","title":"Wolverhampton CAMRA Pub Awards 2024","date_published":"2024-03-23T12:00:00+00:00","summary":"Local drinkers have chosen their favourite hostelries","content_html":"
The local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale has announced the pubs and clubs that its members have voted for this year.<\/p>\n\n
The Hail to the Ale Micropub<\/a> has won both Wolverhampton CAMRA's Wolverhampton Pub of the Year 2024 and Cider & Perry Pub of the Year 2024.<\/p>\n\n
The branch Club of the Year 2024 winner is The Firs in Codsall<\/a>, which also has its own small brewery on-site.<\/p>\n\n
Both winners are excellent choices, and have featured in Taste Wolverhampton several times.<\/p>\n\n
Last year was the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Hail to the Ale, and I interviewed Angela and Gary Morton in August 2023. They were the first micropub to open in the West Midlands. To celebrate this year's success, we are making last August's interview available in the Taste Wolverhampton podcast<\/a>. <\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/425\/66019f10227b0.jpg","author":{"name":"David King"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/3807\/blogs\/posts\/73975"},{"id":"o425-1189-61d9ac12e10ee","url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/blogs\/foodblog\/post\/dryanuary-is-not-helping\/","title":"Dryanuary is not Helping","date_published":"2024-01-02T09:00:00+00:00","summary":"Rather than DRY why not TRY?","content_html":"
Every year "Dryanuary" trudges along, which participants limp through, then often reward themselves with a blowout come 1st February. This avoidance of alcohol can also hit pubs hard, as if they aren't suffering enough at the moment.<\/p>\n\n
So, rather than avoiding alcohol altogether, instead go for the certainly healthier option of a little and occasionally. There is now a growing range of low alcohol beverages available (very few contain 0%) and beer is a lower alcohol alternative to wine and spirits.<\/p>\n\n
In the West Midlands, dark Mild used to be a mainstay offering in pubs, and it is both tasty and low alcohol. So, maybe there is no need to be Dry ... just wiser in what you Try.<\/p>\n\n
If you want to lower your alcohol intake, Try Low. There are some practically zero alcohol beverages, but these can be poor to drink. Even the good ones need to be finished within 10-15 minutes or the flavour wanes. Low alcohol beers are probably better made than wines, but whatever you do, don't accept poor tasting drinks.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/425\/622373120c28f.jpg","author":{"name":"David King"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/3807\/blogs\/posts\/59621"},{"id":"o425-1189-63555dc78656e","url":"https:\/\/www.wcrfm.com\/blogs\/foodblog\/post\/baked-in-tettenhall-10th-anniversary\/","title":"Baked in Tettenhall 10th Anniversary","date_published":"2022-10-23T11:00:00+00:00","summary":"Charity appeal for Acorns Hospice","content_html":"
In this morning's edition of Taste Wolverhampton<\/a>, David chatted with Chris Wyer from Baked in Tettenhall about their last 10 years, the Acorns Hospice charity appeal, and the future.<\/p>\n\n